NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamPharmacologyHard
A 6-year-old child presents with a severe asthma exacerbation, experiencing significant respiratory distress and wheezing. The child weighs 22 kg. You are preparing to administer albuterol via nebulizer. The standard pediatric dose for albuterol nebulization is 2.5 mg diluted in 3 mL of normal saline. How many milliliters of a 0.083% albuterol solution (which contains 2.5 mg of albuterol per 3 mL) would you administer?
- A3.0 mL
- B5.0 mL
- C1.5 mL
- D2.5 mL
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 3.0 mL
The question states that a 0.083% albuterol solution 'contains 2.5 mg of albuterol per 3 mL'. Since the standard pediatric dose is 2.5 mg, and this specific concentration delivers 2.5 mg in a 3 mL volume, you would administer 3.0 mL of this solution.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This would be an overdose based on the provided concentration and desired dose.
- C. This would be an underdose based on the provided concentration and desired dose.
- D. This value (2.5 mL) might be confused with the mg dose (2.5 mg), but the volume needed is 3 mL for that dose.
Albuterol Nebulization Dosing
The calculation and administration of the correct volume of albuterol solution for nebulization based on the prescribed dose and available concentration.
- Standard pediatric dose: 2.5 mg.
- Albuterol solutions come in various concentrations.
- Often pre-measured vials contain 2.5 mg in 3 mL.
- Administered via nebulizer until the solution is consumed.
Memory trick: Desired over Have, times the Volume is the math to solve.