For a baby weighing 3kg requiring resuscitation with a volume expander, what is the appropriate dose?

The appropriate dose of a volume expander for a baby weighing 3 kg is determined by guidelines that typically recommend administering a volume of 10-20 mL per kilogram of body weight in cases of resuscitation. For a 3 kg baby, this translates to an initial bolus in the range of 30 to 60 mL. Choosing 30 mL as the correct answer aligns with this guideline, as it falls within the acceptable range for initial resuscitation efforts.

In practice, starting with 30 mL allows for effective volume resuscitation while closely monitoring the infant's response. This quantity is sufficient to provide the necessary fluid support without exceeding safe parameters, as infants have different hemodynamic responses compared to adults. Fluid overload can lead to complications, so choosing a moderate starting dose is critical.

The other choices either underdose the resuscitation effort, such as in the case of 10 mL and 20 mL, which may not provide adequate volume for effective resuscitation given the infant’s weight, or overdoses with 40 mL, which could increase the risk of adverse effects related to volume overload. Thus, 30 mL is a judicious choice for initiating treatment in this scenario