Certified Transport Registered Nurse Certification Practice Exam

When intubating pediatric patients, atropine should be available for those younger than what age?

1. 1 year

2. 2 years

3. 3 years

4. 6 months

The correct answer is: 6 months

In pediatric intubation, atropine is recommended to be available for children under the age of 6 months. This is primarily due to the increased risk of bradycardia during the intubation process in younger children, especially infants. Atropine is an anticholinergic medication that can help counteract vagal stimulation and prevent the drop in heart rate that may occur when airway manipulation takes place. Infants are particularly susceptible to bradycardia because their autonomic nervous systems are still developing, which makes them more vulnerable to the effects of increased vagal tone during procedures like intubation. By having atropine readily available, providers can quickly address any potential bradycardic episodes and ensure the child's heart rate remains stable during this critical procedure. For older children, the risk of bradycardia decreases, which is why the use of atropine is generally not necessary for children older than 6 months. Therefore, ensuring the availability of atropine for infants under 6 months reflects an important aspect of pediatric emergency care practices.