In pediatric SVT, adenosine is given by which route?

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Multiple Choice

In pediatric SVT, adenosine is given by which route?

The important idea is that adenosine acts very quickly and is cleared from the body in seconds, so it must be given in a route that delivers the drug to the heart immediately. In pediatric SVT, this is a rapid IV push (often followed by a saline flush) to create a transient AV nodal block and terminate the tachycardia. Subcutaneous or IM administration would absorb slowly and unreliably, delaying or preventing the effect, while oral dosing is too slow due to absorption and first-pass metabolism. Therefore, intravenous push is the optimal route.

The important idea is that adenosine acts very quickly and is cleared from the body in seconds, so it must be given in a route that delivers the drug to the heart immediately. In pediatric SVT, this is a rapid IV push (often followed by a saline flush) to create a transient AV nodal block and terminate the tachycardia. Subcutaneous or IM administration would absorb slowly and unreliably, delaying or preventing the effect, while oral dosing is too slow due to absorption and first-pass metabolism. Therefore, intravenous push is the optimal route.

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