If ketamine is diluted to 10 mg/mL for pediatric pain management, what IM volume should be given?

If ketamine is diluted to 10 mg/mL for pediatric pain management, what IM volume should be given?

• A. 1 mL
• B. 2 mL
• C. 5 mL
• D. 2.5 mL

Answer: (D)

This question tests how to convert a prescribed dose into the syringe volume using the solution’s concentration. If the target dose is 25 mg and the dilution is 10 mg/mL, the required volume is dose divided by concentration: 25 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 2.5 mL. So you would administer two and a half milliliters IM. For context, 1 mL would deliver 10 mg, 2 mL would deliver 20 mg, and 5 mL would deliver 50 mg, so 2.5 mL matches a 25 mg dose. Always verify the recommended dose in mg per the patient’s weight and the maximum safe IM volume for the site.

This question tests how to convert a prescribed dose into the syringe volume using the solution’s concentration. If the target dose is 25 mg and the dilution is 10 mg/mL, the required volume is dose divided by concentration: 25 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 2.5 mL. So you would administer two and a half milliliters IM. For context, 1 mL would deliver 10 mg, 2 mL would deliver 20 mg, and 5 mL would deliver 50 mg, so 2.5 mL matches a 25 mg dose. Always verify the recommended dose in mg per the patient’s weight and the maximum safe IM volume for the site.