How long should albuterol be administered via nebulizer for a 1.5-year-old?

The administration of albuterol via nebulizer for a child, particularly a 1.5-year-old, typically occurs over a duration of 5-10 minutes. During this time, the aerosolized medication is delivered effectively to the lungs, allowing for optimal therapeutic effects in treating conditions like asthma or wheezing.

This timeframe is based on clinical guidelines and practices that ensure the medication is adequately nebulized, which facilitates effective absorption and minimizes potential waste of the medication. A shorter duration, such as 1-2 minutes, may not allow enough time for the medication to be dispersed properly, while longer durations like 10-15 or 20 minutes can lead to unnecessary discomfort for the child and might not be practical or necessary for the administration of the medication. Thus, 5-10 minutes is the recommended approach for administering albuterol in this age group.