Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What is the appropriate adrenaline dose for children aged 6-12 years?

1. 0.15ml

2. 0.3ml

3. 0.5ml

4. 1.0ml

The correct answer is: 0.3ml

In pediatric emergency medicine, the appropriate dosage of adrenaline (epinephrine) for children aged 6-12 years is typically based on weight and specific guidelines. For this age group, the standard practice is to administer a dose of 0.01 mg/kg of body weight, and the typical concentration of adrenaline used in emergency settings is 1:1000 (1 mg/ml). When calculating the dose for children in this age range, the 0.3 ml dose corresponds to the weight of a child that fits within the average range of 30 kg, as this would deliver approximately 0.3 mg of adrenaline (0.01 mg/kg x 30 kg). This dosage is appropriate for severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, which are the most common indications for adrenaline administration in this demographic. Using the correct dosing guidelines is crucial for ensuring safety and efficacy in treatment, especially in emergency situations where doses are crucial for managing conditions like anaphylaxis. The other options provided do not align with the standard dosing protocols for this age group, which is why they are not considered appropriate for this situation.