BCPPS study guide
BCPPS · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist (BCPPS) credential is awarded by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) to pharmacists who demonstrate advanced knowledge and judgment in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. It is aimed at pharmacists whose practice is substantially pediatric - inpatient general pediatrics, neonatal intensive care, pediatric hematology/oncology, cardiology, critical care, ambulatory specialty clinics, or academia with a pediatric focus - and who want an external, peer-recognized validation of that expertise beyond licensure. The BCPPS study guide has 12 sections and about 3,690 words.
01General Pediatric Pharmacotherapy Principles, Growth, and Development
Pediatric dosing rests on three anchors: fixed mg/kg, body surface area, and age/weight algorithms. BSA (Mosteller: square root of [height cm × weight kg ÷ 3600]) is preferred for narrow-therapeutic-index agents (chemotherapy, some immunosuppressants, antifungals) because it tracks GFR and metabolic rate.
338 words, about 2 min02Neonatal and Premature Infant Care
Gestational age at birth plus postnatal age equals postmenstrual age (PMA). Nearly every neonatal dose and interval is anchored to PMA and current weight, not chronologic age alone; a 3-week-old born at 26 weeks is functionally far more immature than a term 3-week-old.
316 words, about 2 min03Infectious Diseases and Immunization
Organisms shift with age: group B Streptococcus, E. coli , and Listeria in neonates; Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis beyond the neonatal period.
288 words, about 1 min04Pulmonary and Respiratory Disorders
Reliever therapy is a short-acting beta-agonist by metered-dose inhaler with a valved holding chamber, preferred at every age. Persistent asthma adds inhaled corticosteroid; leukotriene modifiers and long-acting beta-agonists are add-ons - LABA monotherapy is contraindicated.
300 words, about 2 min05Cardiovascular Disorders
Supraventricular tachycardia: adenosine 0.1 mg/kg rapid IV push (max 6 mg) followed by a rapid saline flush; second dose 0.2 mg/kg (max 12 mg). Amiodarone 5 mg/kg for refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
332 words, about 2 min06Gastrointestinal Disorders, Nutrition, and Fluid/Electrolyte Management
Holliday-Segar: 100 mL/kg/day for the first 10 kg, 50 for the next 10, and 20 for each kilogram above 20 - equivalently the 4-2-1 rule in mL/kg/hour. Use isotonic fluid (lactated Ringer or normal saline with dextrose and potassium) for maintenance; hypotonic fluids cause hospital-acquired hyponatremia.
301 words, about 2 min07Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders
Treat in stages: a benzodiazepine first (lorazepam 0.1 mg/kg IV, max 4 mg; or midazolam 0.2 mg/kg IM if no access), then a second-line load - fosphenytoin 20 mg PE/kg, levetiracetam 40–60 mg/kg, or valproate 20–40 mg/kg. Address hypoglycemia and electrolytes concurrently.
291 words, about 1 min08Endocrine Disorders
Type 1 diabetes is managed with basal-bolus insulin; target HbA1c is generally below 7%. Diabetic ketoacidosis: restore volume with isotonic fluid, begin an insulin infusion at 0.05–0.1 units/kg/hour after the initial fluid bolus, and add dextrose when glucose falls toward 250–300 mg/dL so the insulin can continue clearing ketones.
296 words, about 1 min09Renal and Genitourinary Disorders
The bedside Schwartz equation estimates GFR: 0.413 × height in cm ÷ serum creatinine. Neonates and small infants normally have lower GFR, so a creatinine that looks normal for an adult may still reflect reduced clearance.
327 words, about 2 min10Hematology, Oncology, and Immunology
Penicillin prophylaxis until age 5 reduces invasive pneumococcal disease; add folic acid and hydroxyurea for frequent crises. Acute chest syndrome and vaso-occlusive crises need aggressive analgesia, hydration, and oxygen.
294 words, about 1 min11Toxicology and Poison Prevention
Activated charcoal 1 g/kg (max 50 g) is useful within roughly 1 hour of ingestion when the airway is protected and the toxin adsorbs to charcoal. It is not indicated for hydrocarbons, caustics, alcohols, iron, or lithium, and is contraindicated with altered mental status and unprotected airway.
311 words, about 2 min12Critical Care and Emergency Medicine
Epinephrine for cardiac arrest: 0.01 mg/kg IV/IO of the 1:10,000 concentration (0.1 mL/kg, max 1 mg), repeated every 3–5 minutes; the endotracheal dose is 0.1 mg/kg of 1:1000. Defibrillation begins at 2 J/kg and escalates to 4 J/kg and then at least 4 J/kg (not exceeding 10 J/kg or the adult dose).
296 words, about 1 min