IV THERAPY NCLEX QUESTIONS &
ACTUAL CORRECT ANSWERS
PASSED 100% LATEST VERSION
A nurse is preparing to administer an IV piggyback (IVPB) antibiotic through a patient's
primary IV line of 0.9% Normal Saline. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
A. Spike the secondary IV bag and hang it at the same level as the primary bag
B. Verify compatibility of the medication with the primary IV fluid
C. Connect the secondary tubing to the lowest Y-port
D. Prime the secondary tubing with the medication
B. Verify compatibility of the medication with the primary IV fluid
Which statement indicates proper understanding of secondary tubing care?
A. The same secondary tubing can be used for all medications
B. Secondary tubing should be changed every 72 hours
C. Each medication requires its own secondary tubing
D. Secondary tubing should be flushed with heparin after use
C. Each medication requires its own secondary tubing
When giving an IV bolus (push) through an existing IV line, the nurse should:
A. Inject the medication as quickly as possible to minimize discomfort
B. Pinch the tubing during the injection and release when not pushing medication
C. Use the port farthest from the insertion site
D. Dilute all medications before injection
B. Pinch the tubing during the injection and release when not pushing medication
If an ordered IV medication is incompatible with the patient’s IV fluids, the nurse
should:
A. Administer through the same line immediately
B. Flush with 10 mL NS, administer medication, flush again, then restart fluids
C. Stop fluids and inject medication rapidly
D. Add the drug to the IV bag
B. Flush with 10 mL NS, administer medication, flush again, then restart fluids
The nurse needs to change a patient's gown who has a peripheral IV. What is the safest
approach?
A. Disconnect the tubing from the IV catheter
B. Use gowns that open at the shoulder or sleeve
C. Pull the gown off quickly to prevent tangling
D. Clamp the IV tubing before changing
B. Use gowns that open at the shoulder or sleeve
, If an IV tubing becomes disconnected from the catheter hub, what should the nurse do?
A. Immediately reconnect the tubing
B. Clean both ends with alcohol and reconnect using aseptic technique
C. Flush line with saline and reconnect
D. Replace only the IV bag
B. Clean both ends with alcohol and reconnect using aseptic technique
Which nursing action is correct when administering potassium chloride (KCL) IV?
A. Administer as an IV push to treat hypokalemia quickly
B. Mix KCL with D5W and infuse rapidly
C. Infuse KCL through a pump and monitor ECG
D. Give undiluted KCL for faster absorption
C. Infuse KCL through a pump and monitor ECG
The nurse is caring for a patient receiving 3% NaCl for hyponatremia. Which
assessment finding requires immediate action?
A. Crackles in the lungs and shortness of breath
B. Mild thirst
C. Sodium 135 mEq/L
D. Small urine output
A. Crackles in the lungs and shortness of breath
A patient receiving IV fluids at 125 mL/hr begins to develop shortness of breath and
neck vein distention. What is the priority action?
A. Stop the infusion
B. Increase the IV rate
C. Elevate the patient's legs
D. Flush the IV line
A. Stop the infusion
Which statement shows proper medication mixing technique?
A. Shake the IV bag vigorously to dissolve
B. Rotate the IV bag gently to mix medication evenly
C. Add drug directly to primary line
D. Spike bag immediately after adding medication
B. Rotate the IV bag gently to mix medication evenly
After inserting a 20G IV catheter, the nurse observes a flashback of blood. What is the
next step?
A. Remove the needle immediately
B. Lower the angle and advance the catheter 0.5–1 cm further
C. Retract the stylet slightly to adjust
D. Reinsert the needle into the catheter to reposition
B. Lower the angle and advance the catheter 0.5-1 cm further
Which of the following demonstrates aseptic technique during IV therapy? (Select all
that apply)
☐ A. Clean all ports with 70% alcohol or CHG for 30 seconds
☐ B. Leave tubing ends uncapped to prevent moisture buildup
ACTUAL CORRECT ANSWERS
PASSED 100% LATEST VERSION
A nurse is preparing to administer an IV piggyback (IVPB) antibiotic through a patient's
primary IV line of 0.9% Normal Saline. Which of the following actions should the nurse
take first?
A. Spike the secondary IV bag and hang it at the same level as the primary bag
B. Verify compatibility of the medication with the primary IV fluid
C. Connect the secondary tubing to the lowest Y-port
D. Prime the secondary tubing with the medication
B. Verify compatibility of the medication with the primary IV fluid
Which statement indicates proper understanding of secondary tubing care?
A. The same secondary tubing can be used for all medications
B. Secondary tubing should be changed every 72 hours
C. Each medication requires its own secondary tubing
D. Secondary tubing should be flushed with heparin after use
C. Each medication requires its own secondary tubing
When giving an IV bolus (push) through an existing IV line, the nurse should:
A. Inject the medication as quickly as possible to minimize discomfort
B. Pinch the tubing during the injection and release when not pushing medication
C. Use the port farthest from the insertion site
D. Dilute all medications before injection
B. Pinch the tubing during the injection and release when not pushing medication
If an ordered IV medication is incompatible with the patient’s IV fluids, the nurse
should:
A. Administer through the same line immediately
B. Flush with 10 mL NS, administer medication, flush again, then restart fluids
C. Stop fluids and inject medication rapidly
D. Add the drug to the IV bag
B. Flush with 10 mL NS, administer medication, flush again, then restart fluids
The nurse needs to change a patient's gown who has a peripheral IV. What is the safest
approach?
A. Disconnect the tubing from the IV catheter
B. Use gowns that open at the shoulder or sleeve
C. Pull the gown off quickly to prevent tangling
D. Clamp the IV tubing before changing
B. Use gowns that open at the shoulder or sleeve
, If an IV tubing becomes disconnected from the catheter hub, what should the nurse do?
A. Immediately reconnect the tubing
B. Clean both ends with alcohol and reconnect using aseptic technique
C. Flush line with saline and reconnect
D. Replace only the IV bag
B. Clean both ends with alcohol and reconnect using aseptic technique
Which nursing action is correct when administering potassium chloride (KCL) IV?
A. Administer as an IV push to treat hypokalemia quickly
B. Mix KCL with D5W and infuse rapidly
C. Infuse KCL through a pump and monitor ECG
D. Give undiluted KCL for faster absorption
C. Infuse KCL through a pump and monitor ECG
The nurse is caring for a patient receiving 3% NaCl for hyponatremia. Which
assessment finding requires immediate action?
A. Crackles in the lungs and shortness of breath
B. Mild thirst
C. Sodium 135 mEq/L
D. Small urine output
A. Crackles in the lungs and shortness of breath
A patient receiving IV fluids at 125 mL/hr begins to develop shortness of breath and
neck vein distention. What is the priority action?
A. Stop the infusion
B. Increase the IV rate
C. Elevate the patient's legs
D. Flush the IV line
A. Stop the infusion
Which statement shows proper medication mixing technique?
A. Shake the IV bag vigorously to dissolve
B. Rotate the IV bag gently to mix medication evenly
C. Add drug directly to primary line
D. Spike bag immediately after adding medication
B. Rotate the IV bag gently to mix medication evenly
After inserting a 20G IV catheter, the nurse observes a flashback of blood. What is the
next step?
A. Remove the needle immediately
B. Lower the angle and advance the catheter 0.5–1 cm further
C. Retract the stylet slightly to adjust
D. Reinsert the needle into the catheter to reposition
B. Lower the angle and advance the catheter 0.5-1 cm further
Which of the following demonstrates aseptic technique during IV therapy? (Select all
that apply)
☐ A. Clean all ports with 70% alcohol or CHG for 30 seconds
☐ B. Leave tubing ends uncapped to prevent moisture buildup
