For a 20 kg pediatric patient, what is the epinephrine IM dose?

For a 20 kg pediatric patient, what is the epinephrine IM dose?

• A. 0.2 mg
• B. 0.02 mg
• C. 0.004 mg
• D. 0.5 mg

Answer: (A)

Dosing in pediatric emergencies is weight-based. For epinephrine given intramuscularly in suspected anaphylaxis, use 0.01 mg per kilogram (1:1000 concentration), with a maximum single dose of 0.3 mg. A 20 kg child would receive 20 × 0.01 mg = 0.2 mg. This amount stays within the max limit, making 0.2 mg the correct dose. The other options would be far too small or exceed the maximum single dose.

Dosing in pediatric emergencies is weight-based. For epinephrine given intramuscularly in suspected anaphylaxis, use 0.01 mg per kilogram (1:1000 concentration), with a maximum single dose of 0.3 mg. A 20 kg child would receive 20 × 0.01 mg = 0.2 mg. This amount stays within the max limit, making 0.2 mg the correct dose. The other options would be far too small or exceed the maximum single dose.