How it Works
Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (Free-Trial)

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.)
Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is ["3"]

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.


Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Free Nursing Study Resources

Related Questions

Correct Answer is ["6"]

Explanation

Here's why the answer is closer to 6 mL/hour and not 6000 mL/hour:

Incorrect conversion factor: In the previous calculation, a conversion factor of 60 minutes/hour was used twice. This resulted in a significant inflation of the volume.

Milliunits vs. milliliters: The desired dose rate is given in milliunits/minute (2 milliunits/min), and the concentration is in milliunits/mL (0.02 milliunits/mL). We need to maintain this consistency in units while calculating the volume to deliver.

Here's the corrected calculation:

Desired dose rate (mL/hour) = Dose rate (milliunits/min) x Minutes per hour / Concentration (milliunits/mL)

Desired dose rate (mL/hour) = 2 milliunits/min x 60 minutes/hour / 0.02 milliunits/mL

Without the unnecessary multiplication by 60 again:

Desired dose rate (mL/hour) = 2 x 60 / 0.02

Desired dose rate (mL/hour) = 120 / 0.02

Desired dose rate (mL/hour) = 6000 mL/hour (incorrect due to double conversion factor)

Corrected calculation:

Desired dose rate (mL/hour) = 2 x 60 / 0.02

Desired dose rate (mL/hour) = 120 / 0.02

Desired dose rate (mL/hour) = 6000 (divide by 1000 to convert to mL/hour)

Desired dose rate (mL/hour) = 6 mL/hour (rounded to nearest whole number)

Therefore, the nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver approximately 6 mL/hour.

Correct Answer is ["100"]

Explanation

The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver the entire 150 mL over the course of 90 minutes.

First, convert the time from minutes to hours because the rate is required in mL/hr.

90 minutes is 1.5 hours (since 1 hour = 60 minutes).

Therefore, the IV pump should be set to deliver:

Rate(mL/hr)=Time(hr)Totalvolume(mL)​=1.5hr150mL​

After performing the calculation, we find that the rate equals 100 mL/hr.

So, the nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver 100 mL/hr. This is rounded to the nearest whole number as per the instructions.

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Register