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NUR 172 Final Exam 2026 | Hondros College Nursing
Fundamentals, IV Therapy, Legal & Ethical Issues,
Lab Values | Open-Ended Q & A with Rationales
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing Fundamentals / IV Therapy / Legal & Ethical Issues / Lab Values
Source: NUR 172 Final Exam – Hondros College (2026)
Format: Open-ended questions with Correct Answers and rationales
1. When can an LPN administer solutions that contain vitamins or
electrolytes?
Correct Answer: After an RN initiates first solution
Rationale:
1. LPNs can hang subsequent bags of vitamins or electrolytes after the RN has
initiated the first bag.
2. The RN must assess the patient and establish the initial infusion.
3. This standard ensures patient safety and proper initiation of therapy.
2. Can an LPN administer D2W per a central line?
Correct Answer: No - not in specified list of solutions allowed to give
Rationale:
1. D2W (2% dextrose in water) is not included in the LPN scope of practice for
IV solutions.
2. LPNs are limited to specific isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions as
defined by facility policy.
3. Central line administration carries higher risk, requiring additional
qualifications.
3. Can an LPN inject heparin or NS to flush an intermittent infusion
device or hep lock?
Correct Answer: Yes - in scope of practice
, 2|Page
Rationale:
1. Flushing intermittent devices is within the LPN scope of practice in most
states.
2. This includes both normal saline and heparin flushes.
3. LPNs must follow facility policy and verify correct flush volume and
concentration.
4. Can an LPN place a venous catheter that is 4.5 inches long in hand,
forearm, or antecubital space?
Correct Answer: No - catheter cannot be longer than 3 inches
Rationale:
1. LPNs are restricted to catheters no longer than 3 inches.
2. Catheters longer than 3 inches require advanced training and are typically
placed by RNs or specialized teams.
3. This restriction limits LPNs to peripheral IVs rather than midline or central
catheters.
5. Can an LPN change tubing on a central line if solution is TPN?
Correct Answer: No - TPN not in scope of practice, may change tubing if
solution in scope of practice
Rationale:
1. TPN (total parenteral nutrition) is not within LPN scope of practice due to
high risk of complications.
2. LPNs may change central line tubing only for solutions within their
authorized scope.
3. Central line management requires additional competency validation.
6. Can an LPN start an IV on a 4 year old child?
Correct Answer: No - must be 18 or older
Rationale:
1. LPN IV initiation is restricted to patients aged 18 years and older.
2. Pediatric patients require specialized skills and lower age limits are not
permitted for LPNs.
3. This restriction ensures patient safety in the pediatric population.
7. Can an LPN initiate chemotherapy treatment to a 65 year old
patient?
, 3|Page
Correct Answer: No - LPN cannot initiate chemotherapy or antineoplastic
agents
Rationale:
1. Chemotherapy and antineoplastic agents are outside LPN scope of practice.
2. These medications require specialized training due to toxicity and
administration risks.
3. Only RNs or advanced practitioners may initiate chemotherapy in most
states.
8. Can an LPN initiate IVPB of antibiotic on a 16 year old patient who
has been diagnosed with a staph infection?
Correct Answer: No - must be 18 or older
Rationale:
1. LPNs may only initiate IV therapy in patients aged 18 years and older.
2. A 16-year-old patient is considered a pediatric patient for IV therapy
purposes.
3. Age restriction applies regardless of the type of medication being
administered.
9. Can an LPN initiate NS on a 21 year old patient?
Correct Answer: Yes
Rationale:
1. Normal saline (0.9% NS) is an isotonic solution within LPN scope of
practice.
2. The patient is over 18 years of age, meeting the age requirement.
3. LPNs may initiate IV fluids when properly trained and following facility
policy.
10. Can an LPN stop a PCA pump or an infusion of blood component
when a complication arises?
Correct Answer: Yes
Rationale:
1. LPNs may stop any infusion when a complication or adverse reaction is
suspected.
2. Patient safety overrides scope restrictions in emergency situations.
3. The LPN must immediately notify the RN or provider after stopping the
infusion.
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11. What is beneficence?
Correct Answer: doing good for patients
Rationale:
1. Beneficence is an ethical principle requiring actions that promote patient
welfare.
2. It goes beyond avoiding harm to actively doing good.
3. Examples include providing comfort, preventing suffering, and advocating
for patient needs.
12. What is veracity?
Correct Answer: truthfulness
Rationale:
1. Veracity is the ethical principle of truthfulness and honesty.
2. Nurses must provide accurate information to patients and families.
3. Deception or withholding information violates veracity.
13. What is justice?
Correct Answer: obligation to be fair to all people
Rationale:
1. Justice requires equal and fair distribution of resources and care.
2. Nurses must not discriminate based on age, race, religion, socioeconomic
status, or diagnosis.
3. Fair treatment applies to all patients regardless of personal characteristics.
14. What is nonmaleficence?
Correct Answer: doing no harm to patients
Rationale:
1. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of avoiding harm.
2. This includes preventing errors, minimizing risks, and discontinuing
harmful treatments.
3. "First, do no harm" is the foundation of this principle.
15. What is fidelity?
Correct Answer: obligation to be faithful
Rationale:
1. Fidelity is keeping promises and being loyal to patients and the profession.
NUR 172 Final Exam 2026 | Hondros College Nursing
Fundamentals, IV Therapy, Legal & Ethical Issues,
Lab Values | Open-Ended Q & A with Rationales
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing Fundamentals / IV Therapy / Legal & Ethical Issues / Lab Values
Source: NUR 172 Final Exam – Hondros College (2026)
Format: Open-ended questions with Correct Answers and rationales
1. When can an LPN administer solutions that contain vitamins or
electrolytes?
Correct Answer: After an RN initiates first solution
Rationale:
1. LPNs can hang subsequent bags of vitamins or electrolytes after the RN has
initiated the first bag.
2. The RN must assess the patient and establish the initial infusion.
3. This standard ensures patient safety and proper initiation of therapy.
2. Can an LPN administer D2W per a central line?
Correct Answer: No - not in specified list of solutions allowed to give
Rationale:
1. D2W (2% dextrose in water) is not included in the LPN scope of practice for
IV solutions.
2. LPNs are limited to specific isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic solutions as
defined by facility policy.
3. Central line administration carries higher risk, requiring additional
qualifications.
3. Can an LPN inject heparin or NS to flush an intermittent infusion
device or hep lock?
Correct Answer: Yes - in scope of practice
, 2|Page
Rationale:
1. Flushing intermittent devices is within the LPN scope of practice in most
states.
2. This includes both normal saline and heparin flushes.
3. LPNs must follow facility policy and verify correct flush volume and
concentration.
4. Can an LPN place a venous catheter that is 4.5 inches long in hand,
forearm, or antecubital space?
Correct Answer: No - catheter cannot be longer than 3 inches
Rationale:
1. LPNs are restricted to catheters no longer than 3 inches.
2. Catheters longer than 3 inches require advanced training and are typically
placed by RNs or specialized teams.
3. This restriction limits LPNs to peripheral IVs rather than midline or central
catheters.
5. Can an LPN change tubing on a central line if solution is TPN?
Correct Answer: No - TPN not in scope of practice, may change tubing if
solution in scope of practice
Rationale:
1. TPN (total parenteral nutrition) is not within LPN scope of practice due to
high risk of complications.
2. LPNs may change central line tubing only for solutions within their
authorized scope.
3. Central line management requires additional competency validation.
6. Can an LPN start an IV on a 4 year old child?
Correct Answer: No - must be 18 or older
Rationale:
1. LPN IV initiation is restricted to patients aged 18 years and older.
2. Pediatric patients require specialized skills and lower age limits are not
permitted for LPNs.
3. This restriction ensures patient safety in the pediatric population.
7. Can an LPN initiate chemotherapy treatment to a 65 year old
patient?
, 3|Page
Correct Answer: No - LPN cannot initiate chemotherapy or antineoplastic
agents
Rationale:
1. Chemotherapy and antineoplastic agents are outside LPN scope of practice.
2. These medications require specialized training due to toxicity and
administration risks.
3. Only RNs or advanced practitioners may initiate chemotherapy in most
states.
8. Can an LPN initiate IVPB of antibiotic on a 16 year old patient who
has been diagnosed with a staph infection?
Correct Answer: No - must be 18 or older
Rationale:
1. LPNs may only initiate IV therapy in patients aged 18 years and older.
2. A 16-year-old patient is considered a pediatric patient for IV therapy
purposes.
3. Age restriction applies regardless of the type of medication being
administered.
9. Can an LPN initiate NS on a 21 year old patient?
Correct Answer: Yes
Rationale:
1. Normal saline (0.9% NS) is an isotonic solution within LPN scope of
practice.
2. The patient is over 18 years of age, meeting the age requirement.
3. LPNs may initiate IV fluids when properly trained and following facility
policy.
10. Can an LPN stop a PCA pump or an infusion of blood component
when a complication arises?
Correct Answer: Yes
Rationale:
1. LPNs may stop any infusion when a complication or adverse reaction is
suspected.
2. Patient safety overrides scope restrictions in emergency situations.
3. The LPN must immediately notify the RN or provider after stopping the
infusion.
, 4|Page
11. What is beneficence?
Correct Answer: doing good for patients
Rationale:
1. Beneficence is an ethical principle requiring actions that promote patient
welfare.
2. It goes beyond avoiding harm to actively doing good.
3. Examples include providing comfort, preventing suffering, and advocating
for patient needs.
12. What is veracity?
Correct Answer: truthfulness
Rationale:
1. Veracity is the ethical principle of truthfulness and honesty.
2. Nurses must provide accurate information to patients and families.
3. Deception or withholding information violates veracity.
13. What is justice?
Correct Answer: obligation to be fair to all people
Rationale:
1. Justice requires equal and fair distribution of resources and care.
2. Nurses must not discriminate based on age, race, religion, socioeconomic
status, or diagnosis.
3. Fair treatment applies to all patients regardless of personal characteristics.
14. What is nonmaleficence?
Correct Answer: doing no harm to patients
Rationale:
1. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle of avoiding harm.
2. This includes preventing errors, minimizing risks, and discontinuing
harmful treatments.
3. "First, do no harm" is the foundation of this principle.
15. What is fidelity?
Correct Answer: obligation to be faithful
Rationale:
1. Fidelity is keeping promises and being loyal to patients and the profession.
