NUR172/NUR 172 Exam 3 V3 | Intravenous
Therapy for the Practical Nurse Q&A with
Rationale | Hondros College of Nursing
1. A nurse is monitoring an IV site and notes that the area is cool to the touch, swollen, and
the infusion rate has slowed. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Phlebitis
B. Infiltration
C. Extravasation
D. Cellulitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when non-vesicant IV fluid leaks into the surrounding
subcutaneous tissue. Common signs include coolness, blanching, and edema at the
insertion site. The nurse must stop the infusion and remove the catheter immediately to
prevent further tissue trauma.
2. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is caring for a patient receiving 0.9% Normal Saline. This
solution is categorized as which type of tonicity?
A. Isotonic
B. Hypertonic
C. Hypotonic
,D. Colloid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Isotonic solutions have the same osmolarity as serum and other body fluids.
They expand the intravascular compartment without causing a fluid shift between
compartments. Examples include 0.9% Normal Saline and Lactated Ringer’s solution.
3. Which of the following actions is the priority when the nurse suspects a patient is
experiencing a systemic air embolism?
A. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees.
B. Place the patient in the left Trendelenburg position.
C. Increase the IV flow rate to flush the air through.
D. Massage the site of the IV insertion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The left Trendelenburg position helps trap the air bolus in the right atrium of
the heart. This prevents the air from entering the pulmonary artery and causing a fatal
obstruction. The nurse must also administer oxygen and notify the provider immediately.
4. An LPN is assisting with the care of a patient receiving a blood transfusion. Which task is
within the LPN’s scope of practice regarding blood therapy?
A. Monitoring the patient’s vital signs during the transfusion.
B. Independently identifying the patient and the blood product.
, C. Initiating the first 15 minutes of the transfusion.
D. Adjusting the rate of the blood flow during the first 15 minutes.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In most jurisdictions, LPNs may monitor the patient and take vital signs once
the transfusion has been started by an RN. The RN must stay with the patient for the first
15 minutes to assess for acute reactions. The LPN reports any changes in status or vital
signs to the RN immediately.
5. The provider orders 1,000 mL of D5W to be infused over 8 hours. The drop factor is 15
gtt/mL. What is the correct flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min)?
A. 28 gtt/min
B. 52 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 31 gtt/min
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To calculate gtt/min, multiply the total volume (1000 mL) by the drop factor
(15) and divide by the total time in minutes (480). 15,000 divided by 480 equals 31.25.
Rounding to the nearest whole number gives a rate of 31 gtt/min.
Therapy for the Practical Nurse Q&A with
Rationale | Hondros College of Nursing
1. A nurse is monitoring an IV site and notes that the area is cool to the touch, swollen, and
the infusion rate has slowed. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Phlebitis
B. Infiltration
C. Extravasation
D. Cellulitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when non-vesicant IV fluid leaks into the surrounding
subcutaneous tissue. Common signs include coolness, blanching, and edema at the
insertion site. The nurse must stop the infusion and remove the catheter immediately to
prevent further tissue trauma.
2. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is caring for a patient receiving 0.9% Normal Saline. This
solution is categorized as which type of tonicity?
A. Isotonic
B. Hypertonic
C. Hypotonic
,D. Colloid
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Isotonic solutions have the same osmolarity as serum and other body fluids.
They expand the intravascular compartment without causing a fluid shift between
compartments. Examples include 0.9% Normal Saline and Lactated Ringer’s solution.
3. Which of the following actions is the priority when the nurse suspects a patient is
experiencing a systemic air embolism?
A. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees.
B. Place the patient in the left Trendelenburg position.
C. Increase the IV flow rate to flush the air through.
D. Massage the site of the IV insertion.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The left Trendelenburg position helps trap the air bolus in the right atrium of
the heart. This prevents the air from entering the pulmonary artery and causing a fatal
obstruction. The nurse must also administer oxygen and notify the provider immediately.
4. An LPN is assisting with the care of a patient receiving a blood transfusion. Which task is
within the LPN’s scope of practice regarding blood therapy?
A. Monitoring the patient’s vital signs during the transfusion.
B. Independently identifying the patient and the blood product.
, C. Initiating the first 15 minutes of the transfusion.
D. Adjusting the rate of the blood flow during the first 15 minutes.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In most jurisdictions, LPNs may monitor the patient and take vital signs once
the transfusion has been started by an RN. The RN must stay with the patient for the first
15 minutes to assess for acute reactions. The LPN reports any changes in status or vital
signs to the RN immediately.
5. The provider orders 1,000 mL of D5W to be infused over 8 hours. The drop factor is 15
gtt/mL. What is the correct flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min)?
A. 28 gtt/min
B. 52 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 31 gtt/min
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To calculate gtt/min, multiply the total volume (1000 mL) by the drop factor
(15) and divide by the total time in minutes (480). 15,000 divided by 480 equals 31.25.
Rounding to the nearest whole number gives a rate of 31 gtt/min.
