The healthcare provider prescribes penicillin G benzathine 1,800,000 units intramuscular (IM) for a client with a bacterial infection. The prefilled syringe is labeled, "Penicillin G benzathine 1,200,000 units/2 mL." How many mL should the nurse administer to this client? (Enter numerical value only, rounded to the nearest whole number.)

Concentration of penicillin G benzathine: 1,200,000 units/2 mL (given on the syringe label) Prescribed dose: 1,800,000 units We need to find the volume (in mL) that delivers the prescribed dose (1,800,000 units) considering the available concentration. Dosage calculation: To administer the prescribed dose, we need to find the volume that contains at least 1,800,000 units. Since the available concentration is 1,200,000 units/2 mL, one prefilled syringe provides 1,200,000 units. We can calculate the number of syringes needed to deliver the prescribed dose: Number of syringes = Prescribed dose (units) / Concentration per syringe (units) Number of syringes = 1,800,000 units / 1,200,000 units/syringe Number of syringes = 1.5 (round up to 2 since a partial dose wouldn't be sufficient) 2 mL per syringe x 2 syringes = 4 mL However, the prefilled syringes likely come in whole-number doses. Checking the available options: A single prefilled syringe provides 1,200,000 units (which is not enough). Two prefilled syringes would provide a total of 2,400,000 units (more than enough). Therefore, to ensure at least the prescribed dose is administered, the nurse should administer 3 mL. This is achieved by using one and a half (rounded up to two) prefilled syringes.