Question

Your team is caring for a term newborn whose heart rate is 50 bpm after receiving effective ventilation, chest compressions, and intravenous epinephrine administration. There is a history of acute blood loss around the time of delivery. You administer 10 mL/kg of normal saline (based on the newborn's estimated weight). At what rate should this be administered?

a. Over 1 to 2 minutes
b. Over 5 to 10 minutes
c. Over 15 to 20 minutes
d. Over 20 to 25 minutes

Answer 1

For a term newborn experiencing shock and with a history of acute blood loss, 10 mL/kg of normal saline should be administered over 1 to 2 minutes to rapidly expand circulating volume.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the case of a term newborn with a heart rate of 50 bpm after receiving ventilation, chest compressions, and epinephrine, with a history of acute blood loss, the administration of 10 mL/kg of normal saline should be given rapidly to expand circulating volume and improve perfusion.To treat a bradycardia, fluid resuscitation is commonly initiated. In this case, normal saline is administered at a rate of 10 mL/kg. The rate of administration is determined by the desired duration of the fluid bolus. In the scenario provided, the rate of administration would typically be over 1 to 2 minutes.

The correct answer to the question about the rate at which to administer this volume of fluid is 'a. Over 1 to 2 minutes.' Acute management of shock in neonates often requires rapid administration of fluids.