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NUR 172 Final Exam Hondros College
| LPN IV Therapy & Clinical Skills |
Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
Verified Answers
Exam Structure:
Subject: Practical Nursing (LPN) IV Therapy & Clinical Skills
Source: NUR 172 Final Exam Hondros College
Format: Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
1. When can an LPN administer solutions that contain vitamins or
electrolytes?
Correct Answer: After an RN initiates the first solution.
Rationale:
1. LPN scope of practice typically requires RN initiation for certain IV
additives.
2. This ensures patient safety and appropriate clinical oversight.
3. The RN remains responsible for initial assessment and ongoing evaluation.
4. State regulations (e.g., Ohio Board of Nursing) specify these limitations.
2. Can an LPN administer D2W (2.5% Dextrose in Water) via a central
line?
Correct Answer: No – not in the specified list of solutions allowed to give.
Rationale:
1. D2W is not typically included in LPN IV push or central line administration
scope.
2. Central line access carries higher risk (infection, air embolism,
misplacement).
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3. LPNs are generally restricted to peripheral IV administration of specific
solutions.
4. Facility policy and state nurse practice acts define allowable solutions.
3. Can an LPN inject heparin or normal saline to flush an intermittent
infusion device or hep lock?
Correct Answer: Yes – within scope of practice.
Rationale:
1. Flushing maintains patency of peripheral intermittent IV devices.
2. Heparin and saline flushes are considered routine maintenance, not IV push
medications.
3. LPNs may perform this task after demonstrated competency.
4. Follow facility protocol for flush volume and concentration.
4. Can an LPN place a venous catheter that is 4.5 inches long in the
hand, forearm, or antecubital space?
Correct Answer: No – catheter cannot be longer than 3 inches.
Rationale:
1. Catheters longer than 3 inches are considered midline or central catheters.
2. LPN scope generally limits peripheral IV insertion to short catheters (<3
inches).
3. Longer catheters require advanced training and are often restricted to RNs.
4. Insertion depth increases risk of vessel damage and complications.
5. Can an LPN change tubing on a central line if the solution is TPN
(Total Parenteral Nutrition)?
Correct Answer: No – TPN is not within scope of practice. The LPN may
change tubing only if the solution is within scope of practice.
Rationale:
1. TPN is a high-risk solution requiring RN management due to infection
risk and metabolic complications.
2. Central line tubing changes require sterile technique and advanced
competency.
3. LPNs may change central line tubing for isotonic solutions (e.g., NS) if
facility policy allows.
4. Always verify state regulations and employer policies.
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6. Can an LPN start an IV on a 4-year-old child?
Correct Answer: No – patient must be 18 years or older.
Rationale:
1. Pediatric IV insertion is outside standard LPN scope in most states.
2. Children have smaller, more fragile veins and higher risk of complications.
3. Pediatric patients require specialized assessment and dosage calculation
skills.
4. Age restrictions protect vulnerable populations and ensure RN or physician
insertion.
7. Can an LPN initiate chemotherapy treatment on a 65-year-old
patient?
Correct Answer: No – LPN cannot initiate chemotherapy or antineoplastic
agents.
Rationale:
1. Chemotherapy drugs are vesicants with high risk of extravasation and
tissue necrosis.
2. Administration requires specialized certification and ongoing competency.
3. RNs or advanced practice providers typically administer chemotherapy.
4. LPNs may care for stable patients receiving chemotherapy but cannot
initiate or push these drugs.
8. Can an LPN initiate IVPB (IV piggyback) of an antibiotic on a 16-
year-old patient diagnosed with a staph infection?
Correct Answer: No – patient must be 18 years or older.
Rationale:
1. Age restriction applies regardless of medication type.
2. Adolescents may have physiological and psychological differences affecting
IV therapy.
3. Pediatric dose calculations and monitoring require RN-level assessment.
4. LPNs may administer IVPB antibiotics to adults (18+) after competency
validation.
9. Can an LPN initiate normal saline on a 21-year-old patient?
Correct Answer: Yes.
Rationale:
1. Normal saline is an isotonic solution within LPN scope for adult patients.
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2. The patient is over 18 years of age, meeting age requirement.
3. LPNs may initiate peripheral IV infusions of maintenance fluids.
4. RN must perform initial patient assessment and verify order.
10. Can an LPN stop a PCA pump or an infusion of blood component
when a complication arises?
Correct Answer: Yes.
Rationale:
1. Patient safety overrides scope restrictions in emergency situations.
2. Stopping an infusion is an independent nursing action to prevent harm.
3. Examples: suspected transfusion reaction, respiratory depression from PCA.
4. After stopping, the LPN must immediately notify the RN or physician.
11. What is beneficence?
Correct Answer: Doing good for patients.
Rationale:
1. Beneficence requires actions that promote patient welfare.
2. Examples: providing pain relief, advocating for treatments, preventing
harm.
3. It is a core ethical principle in nursing practice.
4. Beneficence balances with nonmaleficence (do no harm).
12. What is veracity?
Correct Answer: Truthfulness.
Rationale:
1. Veracity requires honesty in all patient interactions.
2. Includes full disclosure of errors, treatment risks, and prognosis.
3. Builds trust in the nurse-patient relationship.
4. Supports informed consent and patient autonomy.
13. What is justice?
Correct Answer: Obligation to be fair to all people.
Rationale:
1. Justice demands equitable distribution of healthcare resources.
2. Prevents discrimination based on age, race, socioeconomic status, or
diagnosis.
NUR 172 Final Exam Hondros College
| LPN IV Therapy & Clinical Skills |
Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
Verified Answers
Exam Structure:
Subject: Practical Nursing (LPN) IV Therapy & Clinical Skills
Source: NUR 172 Final Exam Hondros College
Format: Multiple Choice & Open-Ended Q&A
1. When can an LPN administer solutions that contain vitamins or
electrolytes?
Correct Answer: After an RN initiates the first solution.
Rationale:
1. LPN scope of practice typically requires RN initiation for certain IV
additives.
2. This ensures patient safety and appropriate clinical oversight.
3. The RN remains responsible for initial assessment and ongoing evaluation.
4. State regulations (e.g., Ohio Board of Nursing) specify these limitations.
2. Can an LPN administer D2W (2.5% Dextrose in Water) via a central
line?
Correct Answer: No – not in the specified list of solutions allowed to give.
Rationale:
1. D2W is not typically included in LPN IV push or central line administration
scope.
2. Central line access carries higher risk (infection, air embolism,
misplacement).
, 2|Page
3. LPNs are generally restricted to peripheral IV administration of specific
solutions.
4. Facility policy and state nurse practice acts define allowable solutions.
3. Can an LPN inject heparin or normal saline to flush an intermittent
infusion device or hep lock?
Correct Answer: Yes – within scope of practice.
Rationale:
1. Flushing maintains patency of peripheral intermittent IV devices.
2. Heparin and saline flushes are considered routine maintenance, not IV push
medications.
3. LPNs may perform this task after demonstrated competency.
4. Follow facility protocol for flush volume and concentration.
4. Can an LPN place a venous catheter that is 4.5 inches long in the
hand, forearm, or antecubital space?
Correct Answer: No – catheter cannot be longer than 3 inches.
Rationale:
1. Catheters longer than 3 inches are considered midline or central catheters.
2. LPN scope generally limits peripheral IV insertion to short catheters (<3
inches).
3. Longer catheters require advanced training and are often restricted to RNs.
4. Insertion depth increases risk of vessel damage and complications.
5. Can an LPN change tubing on a central line if the solution is TPN
(Total Parenteral Nutrition)?
Correct Answer: No – TPN is not within scope of practice. The LPN may
change tubing only if the solution is within scope of practice.
Rationale:
1. TPN is a high-risk solution requiring RN management due to infection
risk and metabolic complications.
2. Central line tubing changes require sterile technique and advanced
competency.
3. LPNs may change central line tubing for isotonic solutions (e.g., NS) if
facility policy allows.
4. Always verify state regulations and employer policies.
, 3|Page
6. Can an LPN start an IV on a 4-year-old child?
Correct Answer: No – patient must be 18 years or older.
Rationale:
1. Pediatric IV insertion is outside standard LPN scope in most states.
2. Children have smaller, more fragile veins and higher risk of complications.
3. Pediatric patients require specialized assessment and dosage calculation
skills.
4. Age restrictions protect vulnerable populations and ensure RN or physician
insertion.
7. Can an LPN initiate chemotherapy treatment on a 65-year-old
patient?
Correct Answer: No – LPN cannot initiate chemotherapy or antineoplastic
agents.
Rationale:
1. Chemotherapy drugs are vesicants with high risk of extravasation and
tissue necrosis.
2. Administration requires specialized certification and ongoing competency.
3. RNs or advanced practice providers typically administer chemotherapy.
4. LPNs may care for stable patients receiving chemotherapy but cannot
initiate or push these drugs.
8. Can an LPN initiate IVPB (IV piggyback) of an antibiotic on a 16-
year-old patient diagnosed with a staph infection?
Correct Answer: No – patient must be 18 years or older.
Rationale:
1. Age restriction applies regardless of medication type.
2. Adolescents may have physiological and psychological differences affecting
IV therapy.
3. Pediatric dose calculations and monitoring require RN-level assessment.
4. LPNs may administer IVPB antibiotics to adults (18+) after competency
validation.
9. Can an LPN initiate normal saline on a 21-year-old patient?
Correct Answer: Yes.
Rationale:
1. Normal saline is an isotonic solution within LPN scope for adult patients.
, 4|Page
2. The patient is over 18 years of age, meeting age requirement.
3. LPNs may initiate peripheral IV infusions of maintenance fluids.
4. RN must perform initial patient assessment and verify order.
10. Can an LPN stop a PCA pump or an infusion of blood component
when a complication arises?
Correct Answer: Yes.
Rationale:
1. Patient safety overrides scope restrictions in emergency situations.
2. Stopping an infusion is an independent nursing action to prevent harm.
3. Examples: suspected transfusion reaction, respiratory depression from PCA.
4. After stopping, the LPN must immediately notify the RN or physician.
11. What is beneficence?
Correct Answer: Doing good for patients.
Rationale:
1. Beneficence requires actions that promote patient welfare.
2. Examples: providing pain relief, advocating for treatments, preventing
harm.
3. It is a core ethical principle in nursing practice.
4. Beneficence balances with nonmaleficence (do no harm).
12. What is veracity?
Correct Answer: Truthfulness.
Rationale:
1. Veracity requires honesty in all patient interactions.
2. Includes full disclosure of errors, treatment risks, and prognosis.
3. Builds trust in the nurse-patient relationship.
4. Supports informed consent and patient autonomy.
13. What is justice?
Correct Answer: Obligation to be fair to all people.
Rationale:
1. Justice demands equitable distribution of healthcare resources.
2. Prevents discrimination based on age, race, socioeconomic status, or
diagnosis.
