FLORIDA BOARD OF NURSING CERTIFIED
INFUSION NURSE EXAM WITH ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient is receiving a peripheral IV infusion of 0.9% sodium
chloride through a 22-gauge catheter in the dorsal hand. Thirty
minutes after initiation, the patient reports burning at the insertion
site. The nurse observes swelling, coolness, pallor, and slowed
infusion. Which complication is most likely occurring?
A. Phlebitis
B. Infiltration
C. Extravasation
D. Catheter-related bloodstream infection
Answer: B. Infiltration
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when a nonvesicant solution
unintentionally enters the surrounding tissue rather than remaining
within the vascular space. Classic findings include coolness, swelling,
pallor, discomfort, and decreased infusion flow. Phlebitis generally
produces warmth, erythema, tenderness, and a palpable venous cord.
Extravasation specifically involves leakage of a vesicant or irritant
medication and requires medication-specific management.
2. A patient receiving IV potassium chloride suddenly complains of
severe burning at the IV site. The nurse notices erythema, swelling,
1
,and blanching around the catheter. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Increase the infusion rate to dilute the medication
B. Apply pressure over the insertion site and remove the catheter
immediately
C. Stop the infusion while leaving the catheter in place initially
D. Flush the catheter with 10 mL of normal saline
Answer: C. Stop the infusion while leaving the catheter in place
initially
Rationale: Potassium chloride is an irritant and can cause significant
tissue injury if extravasated. The infusion should be stopped
immediately, but the catheter is generally left in place initially so that
residual medication can potentially be aspirated and, when indicated,
an antidote can be administered through the existing catheter.
Flushing may force additional medication into the tissue and worsen
injury. Subsequent management depends on the specific agent and
institutional extravasation protocol.
3. Before initiating a continuous IV infusion through a newly
inserted peripheral catheter, which assessment is most important?
A. The patient's dietary history
B. Patency of the catheter and condition of the insertion site
C. The patient's last bowel movement
D. The patient's preferred sleeping position
Answer: B. Patency of the catheter and condition of the insertion
site
Rationale: Before administering an infusion, the nurse must establish
that the vascular access device is appropriately positioned and patent
and that the surrounding tissue shows no evidence of infiltration,
2
,phlebitis, bleeding, infection, or other complications. A compromised
catheter can lead to ineffective therapy, tissue injury, or serious
complications.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer an IV medication. The
medication label indicates that the drug is incompatible with the
patient's currently infusing solution. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the medication rapidly through the existing line
B. Mix the medication with the solution to determine whether
precipitation occurs
C. Follow validated compatibility guidance and use a compatible
solution or separate access when necessary
D. Dilute the medication with sterile water regardless of manufacturer
recommendations
Answer: C. Follow validated compatibility guidance and use a
compatible solution or separate access when necessary
Rationale: IV incompatibility can cause precipitation, chemical
degradation, reduced drug effectiveness, catheter occlusion, or patient
harm. Compatibility should be established using an authoritative
medication reference, manufacturer information, or institutional
compatibility database. When incompatibility cannot be resolved
safely, separate vascular access may be required.
5. A patient has a peripheral IV catheter that has been in place for
several hours. The nurse notices tenderness and erythema extending
along the vein with a palpable cord. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A. Infiltration
B. Phlebitis
3
, C. Fluid overload
D. Hematoma
Answer: B. Phlebitis
Rationale: Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein and is characterized
by pain or tenderness, erythema, warmth, swelling, and sometimes a
palpable venous cord. Causes include mechanical irritation, chemical
irritation from medications or solutions, and infection. The catheter
should be assessed and managed according to clinical findings and
institutional policy.
6. During an infusion of a potentially irritating medication, the
nurse observes swelling at the catheter site and immediately stops
the infusion. What additional action is generally appropriate when
extravasation is suspected?
A. Flush the catheter forcefully
B. Aspirate residual medication through the catheter when appropriate
C. Massage the affected tissue vigorously
D. Apply heat to every extravasation regardless of the medication
Answer: B. Aspirate residual medication through the catheter when
appropriate
Rationale: When extravasation is suspected, the infusion should be
stopped and the catheter generally left in place initially. Depending on
the medication, aspiration of residual drug through the catheter may
reduce the amount remaining in the tissue, and a medication-specific
antidote may need to be administered. Warmth, cold, elevation, and
other interventions vary by drug; there is no universal extravasation
treatment.
4
INFUSION NURSE EXAM WITH ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS,
PLUS EXPLAINED RATIONALES/EXPERT
VERIFIED FOR GUARANTEED 100% PASS
2026/LATEST UPDATE/INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient is receiving a peripheral IV infusion of 0.9% sodium
chloride through a 22-gauge catheter in the dorsal hand. Thirty
minutes after initiation, the patient reports burning at the insertion
site. The nurse observes swelling, coolness, pallor, and slowed
infusion. Which complication is most likely occurring?
A. Phlebitis
B. Infiltration
C. Extravasation
D. Catheter-related bloodstream infection
Answer: B. Infiltration
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when a nonvesicant solution
unintentionally enters the surrounding tissue rather than remaining
within the vascular space. Classic findings include coolness, swelling,
pallor, discomfort, and decreased infusion flow. Phlebitis generally
produces warmth, erythema, tenderness, and a palpable venous cord.
Extravasation specifically involves leakage of a vesicant or irritant
medication and requires medication-specific management.
2. A patient receiving IV potassium chloride suddenly complains of
severe burning at the IV site. The nurse notices erythema, swelling,
1
,and blanching around the catheter. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Increase the infusion rate to dilute the medication
B. Apply pressure over the insertion site and remove the catheter
immediately
C. Stop the infusion while leaving the catheter in place initially
D. Flush the catheter with 10 mL of normal saline
Answer: C. Stop the infusion while leaving the catheter in place
initially
Rationale: Potassium chloride is an irritant and can cause significant
tissue injury if extravasated. The infusion should be stopped
immediately, but the catheter is generally left in place initially so that
residual medication can potentially be aspirated and, when indicated,
an antidote can be administered through the existing catheter.
Flushing may force additional medication into the tissue and worsen
injury. Subsequent management depends on the specific agent and
institutional extravasation protocol.
3. Before initiating a continuous IV infusion through a newly
inserted peripheral catheter, which assessment is most important?
A. The patient's dietary history
B. Patency of the catheter and condition of the insertion site
C. The patient's last bowel movement
D. The patient's preferred sleeping position
Answer: B. Patency of the catheter and condition of the insertion
site
Rationale: Before administering an infusion, the nurse must establish
that the vascular access device is appropriately positioned and patent
and that the surrounding tissue shows no evidence of infiltration,
2
,phlebitis, bleeding, infection, or other complications. A compromised
catheter can lead to ineffective therapy, tissue injury, or serious
complications.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer an IV medication. The
medication label indicates that the drug is incompatible with the
patient's currently infusing solution. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the medication rapidly through the existing line
B. Mix the medication with the solution to determine whether
precipitation occurs
C. Follow validated compatibility guidance and use a compatible
solution or separate access when necessary
D. Dilute the medication with sterile water regardless of manufacturer
recommendations
Answer: C. Follow validated compatibility guidance and use a
compatible solution or separate access when necessary
Rationale: IV incompatibility can cause precipitation, chemical
degradation, reduced drug effectiveness, catheter occlusion, or patient
harm. Compatibility should be established using an authoritative
medication reference, manufacturer information, or institutional
compatibility database. When incompatibility cannot be resolved
safely, separate vascular access may be required.
5. A patient has a peripheral IV catheter that has been in place for
several hours. The nurse notices tenderness and erythema extending
along the vein with a palpable cord. Which complication should the
nurse suspect?
A. Infiltration
B. Phlebitis
3
, C. Fluid overload
D. Hematoma
Answer: B. Phlebitis
Rationale: Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein and is characterized
by pain or tenderness, erythema, warmth, swelling, and sometimes a
palpable venous cord. Causes include mechanical irritation, chemical
irritation from medications or solutions, and infection. The catheter
should be assessed and managed according to clinical findings and
institutional policy.
6. During an infusion of a potentially irritating medication, the
nurse observes swelling at the catheter site and immediately stops
the infusion. What additional action is generally appropriate when
extravasation is suspected?
A. Flush the catheter forcefully
B. Aspirate residual medication through the catheter when appropriate
C. Massage the affected tissue vigorously
D. Apply heat to every extravasation regardless of the medication
Answer: B. Aspirate residual medication through the catheter when
appropriate
Rationale: When extravasation is suspected, the infusion should be
stopped and the catheter generally left in place initially. Depending on
the medication, aspiration of residual drug through the catheter may
reduce the amount remaining in the tissue, and a medication-specific
antidote may need to be administered. Warmth, cold, elevation, and
other interventions vary by drug; there is no universal extravasation
treatment.
4
