What is a typical small IV bolus dose of meperidine?

What is a typical small IV bolus dose of meperidine?

• A. 5 mg
• B. 50 mg
• C. 12.5-25 mg
• D. 100 mg

Answer: (C)

Meperidine used for IV analgesia is given in small boluses to balance timely relief with safety, because its potency and the risk profile require keeping the dose modest. A typical small IV bolus is in the range of about 12.5 to 25 mg. This amount usually provides meaningful analgesia without prompting excessive sedation or respiratory depression, and it reduces the chance of accumulating the active metabolite normeperidine, which can cause CNS effects, especially with repeated dosing or reduced kidney function. A 5 mg dose is often too small to be reliably analgesic, while a 50 mg or 100 mg bolus would increase the risk of adverse effects and prolong recovery.

Meperidine used for IV analgesia is given in small boluses to balance timely relief with safety, because its potency and the risk profile require keeping the dose modest. A typical small IV bolus is in the range of about 12.5 to 25 mg. This amount usually provides meaningful analgesia without prompting excessive sedation or respiratory depression, and it reduces the chance of accumulating the active metabolite normeperidine, which can cause CNS effects, especially with repeated dosing or reduced kidney function. A 5 mg dose is often too small to be reliably analgesic, while a 50 mg or 100 mg bolus would increase the risk of adverse effects and prolong recovery.