What is the pediatric dose of 1:1000 epinephrine?

• A. 0.3 mg
• B. 0.15 mg
• C. 0.5 mg
• D. 0.05 mg

Answer: (B)

Dosing epinephrine in children is done by weight using a 0.01 mg per kilogram dose of the 1:1000 solution, given intramuscularly, with a maximum single dose of 0.3 mg. For a child weighing about 15 kg, that calculates to 0.01 mg/kg × 15 kg = 0.15 mg. That’s why 0.15 mg is the best choice.

The other amounts don’t fit the weight-based rule: 0.3 mg is the maximum per dose, used when the child’s weight would push the dose to that limit; 0.05 mg is too small for a systemic anaphylactic reaction, and 0.5 mg exceeds the maximum single-dose limit.