An infant is given albuterol via a small volume nebulizer (SVN);what will happen to the L/T ratio of the infant compared with an adult?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As suggested by in vitro studies,the increasing upper airway geometry in adults may explain the higher amount of aerosol deposition reaching the lower airway compared with neonatal and pediatric patients.The clinician should always keep in mind the impact of higher upper airway aerosol deposition in infants who are obligate nasal breathers and children wearing facemasks.A smaller fraction of the nominal dose of an aerosol reaches the lower airways with a child-size oropharynx compared with an adult-size oropharynx.The smaller diameter of neonatal and pediatric lower airways,added to the effects of bronchoconstriction,inflammation,secretions,and the possible presence of an endotracheal tube,dramatically decreases aerosolized drug deposition in the lungs.Because the amount of drug deposited in the infant lung would be less,the L/T ratio would decline,provided that the same total dose was being used in both the adult and the infant.

An Infant Is Given Albuterol Via a Small Volume Nebulizer