How should aerosolized albuterol be prepared for nebulization with saline?

• A. 1 ml of albuterol to 4 ml saline
• B. 5 ml of albuterol to 3 ml saline
• C. 2.5 ml of albuterol to 3 ml of saline
• D. 0.5 ml of albuterol to 2 ml saline

Answer: (C)

The fundamental idea is delivering a standard, effective dose of albuterol in a nebulizer-friendly volume. For aerosolized therapy, the goal is to provide about 2.5 mg of albuterol in a small, workable total volume—typically around 3 mL—so the nebulizer can produce a fine mist that reaches the airways without creating excessive runoff or cloudiness.

The correct choice reflects this practical ratio: it pairs the albuterol amount with a saline diluent to achieve a 3 mL total volume, delivering the intended 2.5 mg dose in a medium that the nebulizer can efficiently aerosolize. Using the proper diluent volume helps ensure the medication stays suspended long enough to be inhaled and deposited in the lungs, maximizing bronchodilation while keeping the dose within therapeutic limits.

Choices that mix in too little or too much diluent, or that imply an inappropriate total volume, would throw off the dose or the nebulization characteristics, reducing effectiveness or increasing side effects.