NUR 172 Final Exam| NEW 2026 | Hondros College Nursing Fundamentals, IV Therapy, Legal & Ethical Issues, Lab Values | Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales | Get HighScore | Instant Download

GET HIGHSCORE on the NUR 172 Final Exam 2026 at Hondros College of Nursing with this comprehensive open-ended Q&A study guide covering Nursing Fundamentals, IV Therapy, Legal & Ethical Issues, and Lab Values—featuring verified answers with detailed rationales . Designed for LPN and nursing students, this resource consolidates the critical concepts required to ace the final examination, aligned with the Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) LPN scope of practice guidelines . Master IV Therapy & LPN Scope of Practice: An LPN can hang first and continue to hang bags of isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions, hang first and continue to hang bags of antibiotics, hang the second bag of vitamins/electrolytes after an RN initiates the first solution, and stop and monitor for signs of infection with blood or PCA pump . An LPN can place an IV in the antecubital space, hand, or forearm; the needle cannot be greater than 3 inches in length; the patient must be an adult older than 18 years of age . An LPN may inject heparin or normal saline to flush an intermittent infusion device or hep lock . An LPN cannot administer D5W via central line (not in specified list of solutions allowed to give), cannot change tubing on a central line if solution is TPN, cannot initiate chemotherapy treatment, and cannot start an IV on a child (must be 18 or older) . For pediatric patients, an LPN can check vitals, obtain cultures, give IM injections, give suppositories, give oral medications, and stop the IV if complications occur . Master IV Complications & Interventions: Hematoma (bruise around IV site): Caused by infiltration of blood into tissues at venipuncture site . Interventions: Discontinue IV, place ice on area, apply pressure, elevate extremity . Infiltration (inadvertent administration of nonvesicant solution to surrounding tissues): Presents as swollen, cool, taut, pale skin . Interventions: Stop infusion, remove IV catheter, elevate extremity . Extravasation (inadvertent administration of vesicant solution to surrounding tissue): Presents as lump with potential tissue damage. Interventions: LEAVE IV in, give antidote, then discontinue IV. DO NOT elevate extremity . Phlebitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the vein): Presents as red, warm, red line, palpable cord (vein feels like a tendon) . Stage 3 phlebitis has palpable cord . Interventions: Discontinue IV, apply warm compress . Thrombosis (catheter-related obstruction): Presents with fever, malaise, slowed or stopped infusion rate, inability to flush catheter . Treatment: Remove IV, notify MD. NEVER flush cannula to remove occlusion . Venous Spasm (sudden involuntary contraction of a vein): Presents as cramping or sharp pain at IV site that travels up the arm. Treatment: Apply warm compress, decrease flow rate; DO NOT remove IV right away . Air Embolism: Presents with light-headedness, weakness, anxiety, seizures, dyspnea, cyanosis, hypotension, jugular vein distention, tachypnea, tachycardia. Treatment: Place patient on left side in Trendelenburg position, administer 100% oxygen, call rapid response team . Septicemia: Presents with change in mental status, chills, decreased pulse ox, increased HR and RR, decreased urine output, elevated WBC, hypoxemia . Speed Shock: Presents with dizziness, facial flushing, severe pounding headache (brain freeze feeling), tightness in chest, hypotension. Treatment: Stop infusion, get help and emergency equipment, give antidote . Master Fluids & Electrolytes (Normal Lab Values): Potassium: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L Sodium: 135-145 mEq/L Calcium: 8.5-10.2 mg/dL Magnesium: 1.5-2.5 mEq/L Phosphorus: 2.5-4.5 mg/dL BUN: 10-20 mg/dL Creatinine: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL Hemoglobin: 12-16 g/dL Platelets: 150,000-400,000/mm³ PTT: 25-35 seconds INR: 0.8-1.1 (2-3 on warfarin) Albumin: 3.5-5.0 g/dL Urine Specific Gravity: 1.005-1.030 pH: 7.35-7.45 PaCO2: 35-45 mmHg HCO3: 22-26 mEq/L Master Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances: Hypokalemia (low potassium): Signs include Lethargy, Leg cramps, Limp muscles, Low/shallow respirations, Lethal cardiac dysrhythmias, Lots of urine (polyuria) . Fluid Volume Deficit (Dehydration) : Dry mucous membranes, increased HR, increased hematocrit, decreased BP, poor skin turgor, decreased urine output, weak thready pulse, increased BUN above 20 . Fluid Volume Overload: Tachycardia, hypertension, weight gain, crackles in lungs, JVD, bounding pulse, dyspnea, low oxygen saturation . Hyponatremia (low sodium): Seizure precautions, neuro assessment, safety precautions; give hypertonic solution 2-3% . Solution Types: Isotonic (water stays isolated in vasculature - D5W, LR, 0.9% NaCl, albumin 5%); Hypotonic (water flows out of vasculature into cells - 0.45% NS, 0.225% NS); Hypertonic (water enters vasculature from cells - D5/0.9% NS, D5/LR) . Master ABG Interpretation: If pH is normal but PaCO2 and HCO3 are abnormal → Full Compensation If pH, PaCO2, AND HCO3 are abnormal → Partial Compensation If pH is abnormal and either PaCO2 or HCO3 is normal → No Compensation PaCO2 represents the Respiratory system HCO3 represents the Metabolic system Master Blood Administration & Transfusion Reactions: Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction (AHTR) : Caused by ABO incompatibility (wrong blood type). RBCs burst/lyse, creating brick-red urine. Signs/Symptoms: Fever, tachycardia, chest pain, back/flank pain, flushed, hypotension, chills, dark brick-colored urine . Packed red blood cells require ABO and Rh compatibility, 18-20 gauge catheter, maximum 4 hours hang time. Given when Hgb level is under 10, usually 7 or 8 . Master Legal & Ethical Issues: Autonomy: Right to self-determination; independence Beneficence: Doing good for patients Nonmaleficence: Do no harm Justice: Respecting the rights of others; obligation to be fair to all people Veracity: Ethical principle of truthfulness Fidelity: Keeping promises; remaining loyal to commitments Malpractice: A form of negligence with any professional misconduct. Four elements: Duty, Breach of Duty, Injury, Causation Informed Consent: Must be voluntary, obtained before an invasive procedure. Nurse can be a witness; physician is responsible to obtain consent Patient Self-Determination Act: Gives patients the right to choose if they want to have a procedure done even if recommended by the doctor Just Culture: Reporting healthcare errors without punishment; emphasis on correcting flaws in the system and preventing future errors Code of Ethics: Principles used in ethical and moral decision making Master 2025 National Patient Safety Goals: Identify patients correctly (name and DOB) Identify patient safety risks Use medicines safely (6 rights) Use alarms safely Prevent infection Prevent mistakes in surgery Improve staff communication Master Nursing Process: Assessment: LPN can collect subjective and objective data to contribute to the patient's care plan Nursing Diagnosis: RN creates the original care plan Planning: Goals or outcomes are written and established Implementation: LPNs can carry out the nursing care plan at the direction of the RN Evaluation: Have the goals been met? Master Medications & Antibiotics: Gentamicin: Side effects include nephrotoxicity (kidney impairment) and ototoxicity (hearing loss, ringing in ears, disturbed balance). Monitor BUN and creatinine Vancomycin: Anti-infective Warfarin: Anticoagulant; antidote is Vitamin K; INR target 2-3 Dextrose: Most administered carbohydrate; irritating to veins; can cause high blood sugar and thrombosis; NEVER give with blood products Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl) : #1 for trauma (except burns); only solution used with blood products; always flush with 10 mL syringe Lactated Ringers (LR) : Maintenance, fluid replacement, resuscitation; best for burns Master Infection Control Precautions: Droplet Precautions (influenza, rhinovirus, pertussis, mumps, rubella, meningitis): Wear eye protection and mask; single patient room preferred Contact Precautions (C. diff, norovirus, MRSA, RSV): Wear gloves and gown MRSA Precautions: Gloves and gown Master Patient Prioritization (ABCs): Airway, Breathing, Circulation (ABCs) and critical thinking determine which patient to see first Chest pain patient should be seen before an asthma patient (circulation before breathing) Master IV Equipment & Procedures: IV Stopcocks: 4-way intersection used only when IV fluids are compatible; high contamination risk IV Piggyback (Secondary) Bag: Must be hung higher than primary solution Saline Lock (formerly hep-lock) : Must be primed before attaching to hub of catheter during IV insertion to avoid air embolism Needleless Connector: Must be scrubbed for 15 seconds with alcohol before use Transparent Dressings: Change every 7 days Gauze Dressings: Change at least every 48 hours (2 days) Central Line Bundle: Hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier precautions (cap, mask, sterile gloves, gown, sterile drape) Master Additional Key Topics: PICC Line: Ends in the Superior Vena Cava Cannulation: Cannula inserted into the vein Tort: A private wrong, by act or omission Risk Management: Process centered on identification, analysis, treatment, and evaluation of real and potential hazards Sentinel Event: Death, permanent harm, or severe temporary harm not related to patient's natural course of illness. Most frequent categories: falls, unintended retention of foreign body, wrong patient/site/procedure, delay in treatment, suicide, operative/postoperative complications 6 Rights of Medication Administration: Right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation Unusual Occurrence Report (Incident Report) : Non-judgmental, factual, NOT part of legal record Each question includes detailed rationales explaining the "why" behind every concept, reinforcing clinical judgment for NUR 172 Final Exam success and NCLEX-PN readiness. Pass your Hondros College NUR 172 Final Exam with confidence on your first attempt. DOCUMENT ACCESS: This study guide is available as an instant digital download (PDF) immediately upon purchase. Fully text-searchable, printable, and accessible anytime through your user account. Trusted by thousands of Hondros nursing students for NUR 172 Final Exam success . 4. VERTICAL KEYWORDS / TAGS NUR 172 Final Exam 2026 Hondros College Nursing Fundamentals IV Therapy LPN Scope of Practice Legal and Ethical Issues Nursing Lab Values for LPNs Open-Ended Questions and Answers with Verified Rationales Hondros NUR 172 Test Bank Get HighScore NUR 172 LPN IV Scope Isotonic Hypertonic Hypotonic Solutions IV Complications Hematoma Infiltration Extravasation Phlebitis Thrombosis Air Embolism Treatment Left Side Trendelenburg Septicemia Signs Change in Mental Status Speed Shock Treatment Stop Infusion Normal Lab Values Potassium 3.5-5.0 Sodium 135-145 Calcium 8.5-10.2 Magnesium 1.5-2.5 BUN 10-20 Creatinine 0.6-1.2 Hemoglobin 12-16 Platelets 150k-400k ABG Interpretation pH 7.35-7.45 PaCO2 35-45 HCO3 22-26 Full Compensation Partial Compensation No Compensation Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction Brick Red Urine ABO Incompatibility Fluid Volume Deficit Dehydration Dry Mucous Membranes Fluid Volume Overload Crackles JVD Tachycardia Hypokalemia 6 L's Lethargy Leg Cramps Lethal Dysrhythmias Hyponatremia Seizure Precautions Hypertonic Solution Autonomy Beneficence Nonmaleficence Justice Veracity Fidelity Malpractice 4 Elements Duty Breach Injury Causation Informed Consent Voluntary Before Invasive Procedure Patient Self-Determination Act Right to Choose Just Culture Error Reporting Without Punishment National Patient Safety Goals 2 Identifiers 6 Rights Prevent Infection Nursing Process ADPIE Assessment RN Diagnosis LPN Implementation Gentamicin Side Effects Nephrotoxicity Ototoxicity Warfarin Antidote Vitamin K INR 2-3 Dextrose Never With Blood Products Normal Saline Only Solution With Blood Products Lactated Ringers Best for Burns Droplet Precautions Mask Eye Protection Contact Precautions Gloves Gown MRSA Precautions Gloves and Gown PICC Line Ends in Superior Vena Cava Transparent Dressing Change Every 7 Days Gauze Dressing Change Every 48 Hours Central Line Bundle Maximal Sterile Barrier 6 Rights of Medication Administration Unusual Occurrence Report Not Part of Legal Record Sentinel Event Categories Falls Foreign Body Wrong Site Hondros College LPN Final Exam Prep Downloadable PDF NUR 172 Study Guide