In pediatric pulseless arrest, the initial epinephrine dose is 0.01 mg/kg.

In pediatric pulseless arrest, the initial epinephrine dose is 0.01 mg/kg.

• A. 0.1 mg/kg
• B. 0.01 mg/kg
• C. 0.001 mg/kg
• D. 1 mg/kg

Answer: (B)

In pediatric pulseless arrest, the goal of epinephrine is to improve blood flow to the heart and brain during CPR by tightening the vessels and raising coronary perfusion pressure. The standard starting dose is 0.01 mg/kg of a 1:10,000 solution given IV or IO, with repeats every 3–5 minutes until there’s return of a pulse or ROSC. This small, weight-based dose provides enough vasoconstriction to boost perfusion without causing excessive hypertension or arrhythmias in children. Doses that are too high could provoke dangerous hypertension and tachyarrhythmias, while doses that are too low may not improve perfusion adequately. If epinephrine must be given via the endotracheal route, the dose is typically increased to account for poorer absorption, but IV/IO administration remains the standard during CPR.

In pediatric pulseless arrest, the goal of epinephrine is to improve blood flow to the heart and brain during CPR by tightening the vessels and raising coronary perfusion pressure. The standard starting dose is 0.01 mg/kg of a 1:10,000 solution given IV or IO, with repeats every 3–5 minutes until there’s return of a pulse or ROSC. This small, weight-based dose provides enough vasoconstriction to boost perfusion without causing excessive hypertension or arrhythmias in children. Doses that are too high could provoke dangerous hypertension and tachyarrhythmias, while doses that are too low may not improve perfusion adequately. If epinephrine must be given via the endotracheal route, the dose is typically increased to account for poorer absorption, but IV/IO administration remains the standard during CPR.