What are the safety considerations when administering medications to pediatric patients?

When administering medications to pediatric patients, always double-check dosages based on weight and age is critically important because children's physiology and metabolism differ significantly from adults. Dosage calculations that account for a child’s weight ensure that the medication is effective while minimizing the risk of adverse effects. Weight-based dosing is a standard practice in pediatrics to tailor treatment specifically to each patient's unique needs, as what works for an adult may not be safe or effective for a child.

Accurate dosing is critical because young patients can be particularly sensitive to medications, and a dose that is too high can lead to toxicity, while a dose that is too low may not provide therapeutic benefits. Thus, by verifying dosages using both weight and age, healthcare providers can provide safe and effective care tailored to the pediatric population’s specific requirements.

This meticulous approach is why choice B is the best answer, as it emphasizes the necessity of careful calculation based on both the child's weight and age in medication administration.