PN 1200 IV THERAPY FINAL EXAM | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
Basilic Vein - (answer)Location: Medial side of arm
Advantages: Large and easy to see, 16-22 gauge
Disadvantages: Rolls, difficult to stabilize location
Cephalic and Accessory Cephalic Vein - (answer)Location: Lateral aspect of arm
Advantage: Large, easy to access, 16-22 gauge, good for irritants
Disadvantage: Tip may be in bend of arm with longer catheters
Median Vein - (answer)Location: Under side of arm
Advantage: Medium size, easy to stabilize, 20-24 gauge
Disadvantage: None
Metacarpal and Dorsal Vein - (answer)Location: Top of hand
Advantage: Good to begin IV therapy, easily stabilized, 20-24 gauge
Disadvantage: Cannot be used with vesicants
Describe a vein that's suitable for venipuncture - (answer)Round, firm, elastic, engorged with blood. It is
not hard, bumpy or flat
Do you need a physician's order to start an IV in the lower extremity of an adult? Why or why not? -
(answer)Yes, blood can pool or clot which can cause an embolism. Only an RN or primary health care
provider should start an IV located in the foot.
List 6 factors which must be considered when selecting a vein. - (answer)1. Availability of the site
2. Type of fluids to be infused
3. Degree of mobility desired
4. Size of the intracath to be used
,PN 1200 IV THERAPY FINAL EXAM | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
5. Volume, rate and length of the infusion
6. Skill of nurse initiating infusion
List at least 5 venipuncture site contraindications. - (answer)1. Arm of a mastectomy patient
2. Arm that has experienced trauma
3. Arm being treated for numbness
4. Arm with an arteriovenous shunt or fistula
5. Avoid legs- circulation is easily impaired, DVTs
How do you palpate a vein? - (answer)Use index and middle fingers over anticipated site
When starting a peripheral IV, which veins are used first and why? - (answer)The superficial veins in the
dorsum of the hand and lower forearm. It needs to be as distal as possible to save potential future
proximal IV sites.
When should the use of hand veins be avoided? Wrist veins? - (answer)When vesicant fluids or
antibiotics are being infused. When it impairs ROM for patient.
Describe OSHA guidelines regarding the use of tourniquets among clients. - (answer)Tourniquets are
single patient use only, IV stylets are to have safety shields to reduce the possibility of needle sticks,
dispose of IV stylets n sharps container, dispose of sharps container when 1/2 to 3/4 full.
How far above the intended venipuncture site should the tourniquet be applied? - (answer)4-6 inches
A tourniquet should be left no longer than ___ minutes. - (answer)2 minutes
Besides the tourniquet, identify four ways to further dilate veins. - (answer)1. Position arm in dependent
position
, PN 1200 IV THERAPY FINAL EXAM | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
2. Rub or stroke arm
3. Cover entire arm with warm, moist towels for 5-10 minutes
4. After applying tourniquet, have patient open and close fist
When a tourniquet is properly applied, should you be able to palpate a distal pulse? - (answer)Yes
The most common sites used on pediatric patients are: - (answer)Neonates: Scalp, umbilical
All ages: Metacarpal, cephalic, basilica, median
List the equipment and supplies needed for initiation of IV therapy. - (answer)Cannula, tourniquet, clean
gloves, site cleansing, IV solution, IV tubing, IV pole, extension tubing, and dressing.
Using ________ gauge and ________ length catheter in the _______ vein possible will reduce the
mechanical and chemical irritation to the vein wall. - (answer)Smallest
Shortest
Largest
Cannulas range from __ to __ gauge. - (answer)14 to 26
Over the needle catheters range from ____ inch to ___ inches in length. - (answer)3/4 inch
3 inches
Butterfly style cannulas range from __ inch to ___ inch in length. - (answer)3/4 inch
2 inch
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
Basilic Vein - (answer)Location: Medial side of arm
Advantages: Large and easy to see, 16-22 gauge
Disadvantages: Rolls, difficult to stabilize location
Cephalic and Accessory Cephalic Vein - (answer)Location: Lateral aspect of arm
Advantage: Large, easy to access, 16-22 gauge, good for irritants
Disadvantage: Tip may be in bend of arm with longer catheters
Median Vein - (answer)Location: Under side of arm
Advantage: Medium size, easy to stabilize, 20-24 gauge
Disadvantage: None
Metacarpal and Dorsal Vein - (answer)Location: Top of hand
Advantage: Good to begin IV therapy, easily stabilized, 20-24 gauge
Disadvantage: Cannot be used with vesicants
Describe a vein that's suitable for venipuncture - (answer)Round, firm, elastic, engorged with blood. It is
not hard, bumpy or flat
Do you need a physician's order to start an IV in the lower extremity of an adult? Why or why not? -
(answer)Yes, blood can pool or clot which can cause an embolism. Only an RN or primary health care
provider should start an IV located in the foot.
List 6 factors which must be considered when selecting a vein. - (answer)1. Availability of the site
2. Type of fluids to be infused
3. Degree of mobility desired
4. Size of the intracath to be used
,PN 1200 IV THERAPY FINAL EXAM | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
5. Volume, rate and length of the infusion
6. Skill of nurse initiating infusion
List at least 5 venipuncture site contraindications. - (answer)1. Arm of a mastectomy patient
2. Arm that has experienced trauma
3. Arm being treated for numbness
4. Arm with an arteriovenous shunt or fistula
5. Avoid legs- circulation is easily impaired, DVTs
How do you palpate a vein? - (answer)Use index and middle fingers over anticipated site
When starting a peripheral IV, which veins are used first and why? - (answer)The superficial veins in the
dorsum of the hand and lower forearm. It needs to be as distal as possible to save potential future
proximal IV sites.
When should the use of hand veins be avoided? Wrist veins? - (answer)When vesicant fluids or
antibiotics are being infused. When it impairs ROM for patient.
Describe OSHA guidelines regarding the use of tourniquets among clients. - (answer)Tourniquets are
single patient use only, IV stylets are to have safety shields to reduce the possibility of needle sticks,
dispose of IV stylets n sharps container, dispose of sharps container when 1/2 to 3/4 full.
How far above the intended venipuncture site should the tourniquet be applied? - (answer)4-6 inches
A tourniquet should be left no longer than ___ minutes. - (answer)2 minutes
Besides the tourniquet, identify four ways to further dilate veins. - (answer)1. Position arm in dependent
position
, PN 1200 IV THERAPY FINAL EXAM | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS.
2. Rub or stroke arm
3. Cover entire arm with warm, moist towels for 5-10 minutes
4. After applying tourniquet, have patient open and close fist
When a tourniquet is properly applied, should you be able to palpate a distal pulse? - (answer)Yes
The most common sites used on pediatric patients are: - (answer)Neonates: Scalp, umbilical
All ages: Metacarpal, cephalic, basilica, median
List the equipment and supplies needed for initiation of IV therapy. - (answer)Cannula, tourniquet, clean
gloves, site cleansing, IV solution, IV tubing, IV pole, extension tubing, and dressing.
Using ________ gauge and ________ length catheter in the _______ vein possible will reduce the
mechanical and chemical irritation to the vein wall. - (answer)Smallest
Shortest
Largest
Cannulas range from __ to __ gauge. - (answer)14 to 26
Over the needle catheters range from ____ inch to ___ inches in length. - (answer)3/4 inch
3 inches
Butterfly style cannulas range from __ inch to ___ inch in length. - (answer)3/4 inch
2 inch
