IV CERTIFICATION EXAM 2026
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉Who orders the IV solution and rate of administration? Answer:
The physician.
◉What does parenteral mean? Answer: Outside the gastrointestinal
system.
◉What is TPN? Answer: Total parenteral nutrition, used to provide
nutrition intravenously.
◉What does KVO stand for? Answer: Keep the Vein Open.
◉Who can start an IV in Pennsylvania? Answer: Physicians,
physician assistants, registered nurses, and licensed practical
nurses.
◉What is a continuous infusion? Answer: A solution that infuses
throughout the day and night via gravity or electronic pump.
,◉What is an IV push or IV bolus? Answer: Undiluted medication
injected directly into a vein.
◉What is an intermittent infusion? Answer: Periodic medication
administration via an intermittent device.
◉What is a peripheral line? Answer: An IV line placed in the hand
or arm, typically short in length.
◉What is a central line? Answer: An IV catheter that ends in the
superior vena cava or right atrium.
◉What are the two types of drip chambers? Answer: Macro-drip
and micro-drip.
◉What is the drop rate for a macro-drip chamber? Answer: 10-20
drops per mL, depending on the manufacturer.
◉What is the drop rate for a micro-drip chamber? Answer: 60 drops
per mL.
◉What is a butterfly needle? Answer: A short beveled needle with
wings used for short-term therapy.
,◉What is the purpose of an IV pump? Answer: To regulate the
infusion rate of IV fluids.
◉What is isotonic fluid? Answer: A fluid with the same osmolarity
as serum and body fluids.
◉What is an example of an isotonic solution? Answer: Normal
saline (0.9% NaCl) or lactated ringers (LR).
◉What is hypotonic fluid? Answer: Less concentrated than isotonic
fluids, causing fluid to shift into cells.
◉What can happen if hypotonic fluids are administered too rapidly?
Answer: Cerebral edema or confusion, potentially leading to death.
◉What is hypertonic fluid? Answer: More concentrated than
isotonic fluids, causing fluid to shift out of cells.
◉What is an example of a hypertonic solution? Answer: D5NS (5%
dextrose in normal saline).
◉What is the normal osmolarity of blood? Answer: Between 240-
340 mOsm/liter.
, ◉What is the significance of the gauge size of a needle? Answer:
Lower numbers indicate larger needle sizes; larger gauges are used
for blood transfusions.
◉What is the role of chlorhexidine or alcohol in IV therapy?
Answer: To cleanse the site and tubing connections.
◉What is the purpose of a saline lock? Answer: To maintain venous
access without continuous fluid infusion.
◉What is the function of an immobilizer in IV therapy? Answer: To
stabilize the IV site and prevent movement.
◉What does NS stand for in IV fluid abbreviations? Answer: Normal
Saline
◉What is the purpose of adding medication to an IV bag? Answer:
To administer medication continuously along with IV fluids.
◉What must be labeled on an IV solution containing medication?
Answer: The name of the medication, dosage, date, and time of
infusion.
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
◉Who orders the IV solution and rate of administration? Answer:
The physician.
◉What does parenteral mean? Answer: Outside the gastrointestinal
system.
◉What is TPN? Answer: Total parenteral nutrition, used to provide
nutrition intravenously.
◉What does KVO stand for? Answer: Keep the Vein Open.
◉Who can start an IV in Pennsylvania? Answer: Physicians,
physician assistants, registered nurses, and licensed practical
nurses.
◉What is a continuous infusion? Answer: A solution that infuses
throughout the day and night via gravity or electronic pump.
,◉What is an IV push or IV bolus? Answer: Undiluted medication
injected directly into a vein.
◉What is an intermittent infusion? Answer: Periodic medication
administration via an intermittent device.
◉What is a peripheral line? Answer: An IV line placed in the hand
or arm, typically short in length.
◉What is a central line? Answer: An IV catheter that ends in the
superior vena cava or right atrium.
◉What are the two types of drip chambers? Answer: Macro-drip
and micro-drip.
◉What is the drop rate for a macro-drip chamber? Answer: 10-20
drops per mL, depending on the manufacturer.
◉What is the drop rate for a micro-drip chamber? Answer: 60 drops
per mL.
◉What is a butterfly needle? Answer: A short beveled needle with
wings used for short-term therapy.
,◉What is the purpose of an IV pump? Answer: To regulate the
infusion rate of IV fluids.
◉What is isotonic fluid? Answer: A fluid with the same osmolarity
as serum and body fluids.
◉What is an example of an isotonic solution? Answer: Normal
saline (0.9% NaCl) or lactated ringers (LR).
◉What is hypotonic fluid? Answer: Less concentrated than isotonic
fluids, causing fluid to shift into cells.
◉What can happen if hypotonic fluids are administered too rapidly?
Answer: Cerebral edema or confusion, potentially leading to death.
◉What is hypertonic fluid? Answer: More concentrated than
isotonic fluids, causing fluid to shift out of cells.
◉What is an example of a hypertonic solution? Answer: D5NS (5%
dextrose in normal saline).
◉What is the normal osmolarity of blood? Answer: Between 240-
340 mOsm/liter.
, ◉What is the significance of the gauge size of a needle? Answer:
Lower numbers indicate larger needle sizes; larger gauges are used
for blood transfusions.
◉What is the role of chlorhexidine or alcohol in IV therapy?
Answer: To cleanse the site and tubing connections.
◉What is the purpose of a saline lock? Answer: To maintain venous
access without continuous fluid infusion.
◉What is the function of an immobilizer in IV therapy? Answer: To
stabilize the IV site and prevent movement.
◉What does NS stand for in IV fluid abbreviations? Answer: Normal
Saline
◉What is the purpose of adding medication to an IV bag? Answer:
To administer medication continuously along with IV fluids.
◉What must be labeled on an IV solution containing medication?
Answer: The name of the medication, dosage, date, and time of
infusion.
