Exam 1: NUR172 / NUR 172 (2025–2026) | Intravenous
Therapy for Practical Nurses – 120 Verified Questions with
Correct Answers | Hondros College | Graded A+
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of intravenous (IV) therapy in the clinical
setting?
a) To provide entertainment during hospital stay
b) To supply fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into the bloodstream
c) To monitor heart rate continuously
d) To allow blood pressure regulation through external means
Correct Answer: b) To supply fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into
the bloodstream
Rationale:
IV therapy is used to ensure rapid delivery of critical substances such as fluids,
medications, blood products, and electrolytes directly into the circulation. This
method bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, ensuring 100% bioavailability and
immediate therapeutic effect.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a key nursing responsibility during IV therapy
administration?
a) Delegating IV insertion to unlicensed personnel
b) Monitoring the IV site for infiltration, infection, and phlebitis
c) Ensuring patient walks during IV administration
d) Using the same IV tubing for multiple patients
,Correct Answer: b) Monitoring the IV site for infiltration, infection, and
phlebitis
Rationale:
The nurse must assess the IV site regularly for complications such as redness,
swelling, pain (phlebitis), leakage (infiltration), or infection. These issues can lead
to systemic complications if not detected early.
Question 3:
Which vein is most commonly used for peripheral IV insertion in adults?
a) Femoral vein
b) Jugular vein
c) Cephalic or basilic vein in the forearm or hand
d) Carotid vein
Correct Answer: c) Cephalic or basilic vein in the forearm or hand
Rationale:
Peripheral veins such as the cephalic and basilic are preferred for short-term IV
therapy due to accessibility, lower infection risk, and patient comfort.
Question 4:
A nurse observes swelling, coolness, and pain at a patient's IV site. What
complication does this indicate?
a) Phlebitis
b) Air embolism
c) Infiltration
d) Hypervolemia
Correct Answer: c) Infiltration
Rationale:
Infiltration occurs when IV fluid leaks into surrounding tissue instead of the vein.
Signs include swelling, coolness, discomfort, and lack of blood return.
,Question 5:
Which action is most appropriate if infiltration is suspected?
a) Document findings and continue infusion
b) Apply heat and elevate the limb
c) Stop infusion, remove catheter, elevate limb, and notify provider
d) Tighten tourniquet above the site
Correct Answer: c) Stop infusion, remove catheter, elevate limb, and notify
provider
Rationale:
Prompt action prevents further tissue damage. Continuing the infusion may worsen
the infiltration.
Question 6:
What is the maximum hang time for an IV bag of normal saline (NS) without
additives?
a) 8 hours
b) 12 hours
c) 24 hours
d) 96 hours
Correct Answer: c) 24 hours
Rationale:
Fluids without additives (e.g., NS or D5W) have a hang time of up to 24 hours to
prevent bacterial growth and contamination.
Question 7:
What type of solution is 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline)?
a) Hypotonic
b) Hypertonic
, c) Isotonic
d) Colloid
Correct Answer: c) Isotonic
Rationale:
Isotonic solutions have the same osmolarity as blood and are used to replace fluid
volume without causing cell shrinkage or swelling.
Question 8:
Which of the following is a sign of phlebitis?
a) Blistering and oozing
b) Sudden drop in blood pressure
c) Redness, warmth, and tenderness at the IV site
d) Bruising above the catheter site
Correct Answer: c) Redness, warmth, and tenderness at the IV site
Rationale:
Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein, often caused by irritation or prolonged
catheter use. Early detection is key to prevent thrombophlebitis.
Question 9:
When administering IV potassium chloride (KCl), which action is correct?
a) Administer via IV push for rapid effect
b) Dilute and administer slowly via infusion pump
c) Give undiluted in a peripheral line
d) Mix with dextrose and give IM
Correct Answer: b) Dilute and administer slowly via infusion pump
Rationale:
KCl is never given IV push due to the risk of cardiac arrest. It must be diluted and
administered with a pump to control rate.
Therapy for Practical Nurses – 120 Verified Questions with
Correct Answers | Hondros College | Graded A+
Question 1:
What is the primary purpose of intravenous (IV) therapy in the clinical
setting?
a) To provide entertainment during hospital stay
b) To supply fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into the bloodstream
c) To monitor heart rate continuously
d) To allow blood pressure regulation through external means
Correct Answer: b) To supply fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into
the bloodstream
Rationale:
IV therapy is used to ensure rapid delivery of critical substances such as fluids,
medications, blood products, and electrolytes directly into the circulation. This
method bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, ensuring 100% bioavailability and
immediate therapeutic effect.
Question 2:
Which of the following is a key nursing responsibility during IV therapy
administration?
a) Delegating IV insertion to unlicensed personnel
b) Monitoring the IV site for infiltration, infection, and phlebitis
c) Ensuring patient walks during IV administration
d) Using the same IV tubing for multiple patients
,Correct Answer: b) Monitoring the IV site for infiltration, infection, and
phlebitis
Rationale:
The nurse must assess the IV site regularly for complications such as redness,
swelling, pain (phlebitis), leakage (infiltration), or infection. These issues can lead
to systemic complications if not detected early.
Question 3:
Which vein is most commonly used for peripheral IV insertion in adults?
a) Femoral vein
b) Jugular vein
c) Cephalic or basilic vein in the forearm or hand
d) Carotid vein
Correct Answer: c) Cephalic or basilic vein in the forearm or hand
Rationale:
Peripheral veins such as the cephalic and basilic are preferred for short-term IV
therapy due to accessibility, lower infection risk, and patient comfort.
Question 4:
A nurse observes swelling, coolness, and pain at a patient's IV site. What
complication does this indicate?
a) Phlebitis
b) Air embolism
c) Infiltration
d) Hypervolemia
Correct Answer: c) Infiltration
Rationale:
Infiltration occurs when IV fluid leaks into surrounding tissue instead of the vein.
Signs include swelling, coolness, discomfort, and lack of blood return.
,Question 5:
Which action is most appropriate if infiltration is suspected?
a) Document findings and continue infusion
b) Apply heat and elevate the limb
c) Stop infusion, remove catheter, elevate limb, and notify provider
d) Tighten tourniquet above the site
Correct Answer: c) Stop infusion, remove catheter, elevate limb, and notify
provider
Rationale:
Prompt action prevents further tissue damage. Continuing the infusion may worsen
the infiltration.
Question 6:
What is the maximum hang time for an IV bag of normal saline (NS) without
additives?
a) 8 hours
b) 12 hours
c) 24 hours
d) 96 hours
Correct Answer: c) 24 hours
Rationale:
Fluids without additives (e.g., NS or D5W) have a hang time of up to 24 hours to
prevent bacterial growth and contamination.
Question 7:
What type of solution is 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline)?
a) Hypotonic
b) Hypertonic
, c) Isotonic
d) Colloid
Correct Answer: c) Isotonic
Rationale:
Isotonic solutions have the same osmolarity as blood and are used to replace fluid
volume without causing cell shrinkage or swelling.
Question 8:
Which of the following is a sign of phlebitis?
a) Blistering and oozing
b) Sudden drop in blood pressure
c) Redness, warmth, and tenderness at the IV site
d) Bruising above the catheter site
Correct Answer: c) Redness, warmth, and tenderness at the IV site
Rationale:
Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein, often caused by irritation or prolonged
catheter use. Early detection is key to prevent thrombophlebitis.
Question 9:
When administering IV potassium chloride (KCl), which action is correct?
a) Administer via IV push for rapid effect
b) Dilute and administer slowly via infusion pump
c) Give undiluted in a peripheral line
d) Mix with dextrose and give IM
Correct Answer: b) Dilute and administer slowly via infusion pump
Rationale:
KCl is never given IV push due to the risk of cardiac arrest. It must be diluted and
administered with a pump to control rate.
