What is the pediatric dose for acetaminophen (Tylenol) in ALS?

• A. 20 mg/kg to max 1200 mg
• B. 10 mg/kg to max 500 mg
• C. 15 mg/kg to max 1000 mg IV/IO over fifteen (15) minutes
• D. 15 mg/kg to max 800 mg

Answer: (C)

Pediatric acetaminophen dosing is weight-based with a strict per-dose maximum for IV/IO administration. The standard ALS protocol uses 15 mg per kilogram per dose, delivered over 15 minutes, with a maximum of 1000 mg per dose. This means you calculate 15 mg × patient weight in kg, then administer that amount by IV/IO over 15 minutes, but if the calculation exceeds 1000 mg you cap at 1000 mg. For example, a 20 kg child would receive 300 mg over 15 minutes, well under the cap. The other options are inconsistent with this dosing rule: they use different mg/kg values or different maximum per-dose limits.