NUR172/NUR 172 Exam 3 V2 | Intravenous
Therapy for the Practical Nurse Q&A with
Rationale | Hondros College of Nursing
1. A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is monitoring a patient receiving a secondary IV infusion of
an antibiotic. According to the standard LPN scope of practice, which action is appropriate?
A. Initiating the first dose of the IV antibiotic
B. Changing the rate of a chemotherapy infusion
C. Administering IV push morphine for pain
D. Hanging the second bag of a pre-mixed antibiotic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In many jurisdictions and within the Hondros curriculum, LPNs are permitted
to hang subsequent bags of IV medications once the RN has administered the initial dose.
IV push medications and chemotherapy management are typically restricted to the
Registered Nurse scope of practice. This ensures that the patient’s initial reaction to a new
medication is monitored by an RN.
2. Which clinical manifestation would a nurse expect to observe in a patient experiencing
fluid volume overload?
A. Flat neck veins when supine
B. Decreased blood pressure
,C. Crackles upon lung auscultation
D. Dry mucous membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume overload often leads to pulmonary edema, which is manifested by
crackles heard during lung auscultation. Patients may also exhibit jugular venous
distention and increased blood pressure due to the excess circulating volume. Monitoring
respiratory status is a priority assessment for any patient receiving IV therapy.
3. A patient’s IV site is cool to the touch, swollen, and pale. The infusion has slowed
significantly. What is the most likely complication?
A. Infiltration
B. Phlebitis
C. Thrombophlebitis
D. Extravasation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Infiltration is the leakage of non-vesicant IV fluid into the surrounding
subcutaneous tissue. It is characterized by skin that is cool, blanched, and edematous at the
insertion site. This differs from phlebitis, which typically presents with warmth and
redness along the vein path.
, 4. When preparing to administer IV fluids, which solution is classified as hypotonic?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. Lactated Ringer’s
C. 0.9% Normal Saline
D. 5% Dextrose in Normal Saline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 0.45% Sodium Chloride (half-normal saline) is a hypotonic solution because its
osmolarity is lower than that of serum. Hypotonic solutions cause fluid to shift from the
intravascular space into the cells. These solutions are often used to treat cellular
dehydration.
5. An LPN is assisting with a blood transfusion. Which task is the LPN legally allowed to
perform in most states under the supervision of an RN?
A. Initiating the infusion of the blood product
B. Identifying the patient and blood product with the RN
C. Adjusting the flow rate during the first 15 minutes
D. Performing the final bedside verification alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LPNs may assist in the double-check process by verifying patient identity and
blood compatibility alongside an RN. However, the actual initiation of the transfusion and
Therapy for the Practical Nurse Q&A with
Rationale | Hondros College of Nursing
1. A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is monitoring a patient receiving a secondary IV infusion of
an antibiotic. According to the standard LPN scope of practice, which action is appropriate?
A. Initiating the first dose of the IV antibiotic
B. Changing the rate of a chemotherapy infusion
C. Administering IV push morphine for pain
D. Hanging the second bag of a pre-mixed antibiotic
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In many jurisdictions and within the Hondros curriculum, LPNs are permitted
to hang subsequent bags of IV medications once the RN has administered the initial dose.
IV push medications and chemotherapy management are typically restricted to the
Registered Nurse scope of practice. This ensures that the patient’s initial reaction to a new
medication is monitored by an RN.
2. Which clinical manifestation would a nurse expect to observe in a patient experiencing
fluid volume overload?
A. Flat neck veins when supine
B. Decreased blood pressure
,C. Crackles upon lung auscultation
D. Dry mucous membranes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fluid volume overload often leads to pulmonary edema, which is manifested by
crackles heard during lung auscultation. Patients may also exhibit jugular venous
distention and increased blood pressure due to the excess circulating volume. Monitoring
respiratory status is a priority assessment for any patient receiving IV therapy.
3. A patient’s IV site is cool to the touch, swollen, and pale. The infusion has slowed
significantly. What is the most likely complication?
A. Infiltration
B. Phlebitis
C. Thrombophlebitis
D. Extravasation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Infiltration is the leakage of non-vesicant IV fluid into the surrounding
subcutaneous tissue. It is characterized by skin that is cool, blanched, and edematous at the
insertion site. This differs from phlebitis, which typically presents with warmth and
redness along the vein path.
, 4. When preparing to administer IV fluids, which solution is classified as hypotonic?
A. 0.45% Sodium Chloride
B. Lactated Ringer’s
C. 0.9% Normal Saline
D. 5% Dextrose in Normal Saline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 0.45% Sodium Chloride (half-normal saline) is a hypotonic solution because its
osmolarity is lower than that of serum. Hypotonic solutions cause fluid to shift from the
intravascular space into the cells. These solutions are often used to treat cellular
dehydration.
5. An LPN is assisting with a blood transfusion. Which task is the LPN legally allowed to
perform in most states under the supervision of an RN?
A. Initiating the infusion of the blood product
B. Identifying the patient and blood product with the RN
C. Adjusting the flow rate during the first 15 minutes
D. Performing the final bedside verification alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: LPNs may assist in the double-check process by verifying patient identity and
blood compatibility alongside an RN. However, the actual initiation of the transfusion and
