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At which age is the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) highest for sevoflurane?

A) Infants and newborns
B) Adolescents
C) Adults
D) Elderly individuals

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The MAC for sevoflurane is highest in infants and newborns, influenced by their unique metabolic and pharmacokinetic profiles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of an anesthetic is a measure of its potency, with a lower value indicating a more potent anesthetic. The MAC is the concentration needed to prevent movement in 50% of patients in response to a stimulus. Various factors influence this, including age, with MAC generally decreasing with increasing age. The MAC for sevoflurane is indeed highest in infants and newborns (Option A), due to their increased metabolic rate and different pharmacokinetic profiles compared to older populations.

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