How often should epinephrine be given during pediatric CPR?

• A. Every 1-2 minutes during CPR
• B. Every 3-5 minutes
• C. Every 6-8 minutes
• D. Only once during CPR

Answer: (B)

During pediatric CPR, epinephrine is used to boost blood flow to the heart and brain by increasing coronary and cerebral perfusion pressures through vasoconstriction. Because its hemodynamic effects persist only for a few minutes, it’s given at regular intervals to keep perfusion adequate during ongoing chest compressions. The standard interval is every 3-5 minutes, with a dose of 0.01 mg/kg given IV/IO as 1:10,000 solution, repeated at that cadence until return of spontaneous circulation or until resuscitation efforts are stopped. Giving it more often than every 3-5 minutes offers little extra benefit and can raise the risk of adverse effects; waiting longer than 5 minutes reduces the chance to restore circulation; and administering it only once would fail to maintain perfusion throughout CPR.