C HAPTER 36: A DMINISTERING I NTRAVENOUS
S OLUTIONS AND M EDICATIONS
Williams: deWit's Fundamental Concepts and Skills for Nursing, 5th
Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient receiving TPN fluid therapy experiences an air embolus in the
central line. The nurse should immediately turn the patient onto the:
a. right side and raise the head of t he bed.
b. right side and lower the head of the bed.
c. left side and raise the head of the bed.
d. left side and lower the head of the bed.
ANS: D
To anatomicall y minimize the risk of the air embolus reaching the
lungs, the nurse should turn the patient onto the left side and lower the
head of the bed. The primary care provider is notified immediatel y.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 710|Table 36 -2
OBJ: Theory #3 TOP: Catheter Bolus KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX:
Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk
,2. The nurse takes into consideration that according to The Joint
Commission, the first IV antibiotics order for a communit y acquired
pneumonia must be administered within:
a. 2 hours.
b. 4 hours.
c. 6 hours.
d. 24 hours.
ANS: B
The Joint Commission suggests that the first IV antibiotic administered
for communit y acquired pneumonia be administered in the first 6 to 8
hours after admission.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 723
OBJ: Theory #4 TOP: IV Antibiotics KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrit y: Pharmacological Therapies
3. A nurse is monitoring the status of an older adult patient who is receiving
IV therapy. Indicator of fluid volume overload is suspected when the
nurse assesses:
a. crackles in the lung fields.
b. pulse rate of 64 beats/min, irregular.
c. respirations of 16 breaths/min, regular.
d. slight edema to the feet.
ANS: A
, Fluid overload is signaled by crackles in the lung fields, increasing
pulse rate, and shortness of breath.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: p. 701|Table 36 -2
OBJ: Theory #5 TOP: Elder Care: IV Therapy KEY:
Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Health
Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Earl y Detection of
Disease
4. A patient has an order for an infusion of 5% dextrose in 0.45% sodium
chloride at a rate of 100 m L/hr IV. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 15
gtt/mL. At how many drops per minute should the nurse regulate the
infusion?
a. 15
b. 17
c. 25
d. 33
ANS: C
The formula for calculating IV fl ow rates is as follows: (Amount of
solution in m L # of gtts/min)/Time in minutes (100 15)/60 = 1500/60 =
150/6 = 25 drops/min.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: p. 712|Box 36 -2
OBJ: Clinical Practice #3 TOP: IV Calculations
KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A MSC: NCLEX: N/A
S OLUTIONS AND M EDICATIONS
Williams: deWit's Fundamental Concepts and Skills for Nursing, 5th
Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient receiving TPN fluid therapy experiences an air embolus in the
central line. The nurse should immediately turn the patient onto the:
a. right side and raise the head of t he bed.
b. right side and lower the head of the bed.
c. left side and raise the head of the bed.
d. left side and lower the head of the bed.
ANS: D
To anatomicall y minimize the risk of the air embolus reaching the
lungs, the nurse should turn the patient onto the left side and lower the
head of the bed. The primary care provider is notified immediatel y.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 710|Table 36 -2
OBJ: Theory #3 TOP: Catheter Bolus KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Implementation MSC: NCLEX:
Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk
,2. The nurse takes into consideration that according to The Joint
Commission, the first IV antibiotics order for a communit y acquired
pneumonia must be administered within:
a. 2 hours.
b. 4 hours.
c. 6 hours.
d. 24 hours.
ANS: B
The Joint Commission suggests that the first IV antibiotic administered
for communit y acquired pneumonia be administered in the first 6 to 8
hours after admission.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 723
OBJ: Theory #4 TOP: IV Antibiotics KEY: Nursing
Process Step: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological
Integrit y: Pharmacological Therapies
3. A nurse is monitoring the status of an older adult patient who is receiving
IV therapy. Indicator of fluid volume overload is suspected when the
nurse assesses:
a. crackles in the lung fields.
b. pulse rate of 64 beats/min, irregular.
c. respirations of 16 breaths/min, regular.
d. slight edema to the feet.
ANS: A
, Fluid overload is signaled by crackles in the lung fields, increasing
pulse rate, and shortness of breath.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: p. 701|Table 36 -2
OBJ: Theory #5 TOP: Elder Care: IV Therapy KEY:
Nursing Process Step: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Health
Promotion and Maintenance: Prevention and Earl y Detection of
Disease
4. A patient has an order for an infusion of 5% dextrose in 0.45% sodium
chloride at a rate of 100 m L/hr IV. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 15
gtt/mL. At how many drops per minute should the nurse regulate the
infusion?
a. 15
b. 17
c. 25
d. 33
ANS: C
The formula for calculating IV fl ow rates is as follows: (Amount of
solution in m L # of gtts/min)/Time in minutes (100 15)/60 = 1500/60 =
150/6 = 25 drops/min.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Anal ysis REF: p. 712|Box 36 -2
OBJ: Clinical Practice #3 TOP: IV Calculations
KEY: Nursing Process Step: N/A MSC: NCLEX: N/A
