A six-year-old boy is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the left femur. ...

A six-year-old boy is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the left femur. The plan of care includes a two-week round of intravenous antibiotics.
 
  The father questions why the child must be hospitalized and why the child cannot receive oral antibiotics. The nurse explains: 1. The antibiotic of choice is not available in oral form.
  2. Blood flow to bones is limited, and parenteral administration is necessary to get appropriate blood levels.
  3. Because the child is older now, it is harder to get the child to cooperate with oral antibiotics.
  4. Because two weeks of therapy is necessary, the intravenous route will produce fewer side effects.