NURS 317 EXAM 2 2026/2027 – QUESTIONS, STUDY GUIDE &
PRACTICE REVIEW
goals of IV therapy - ANS✔✔ -Maintain or prevent fluid and electrolyte imbalances
-Administer continuous or intermittent solutions or medications
-Replenish blood volume
-Assist in pain management
review provider orders for (4) - ANS✔✔ -type of fluid
-amt. to be infused
-rate of infusion
-length of fluid therapy
to select catheter gauge consider (4) - ANS✔✔ -flow rate
-type of fluid
-vein status
-viscosity of the fluid
catheter gauge and diameter and use
(6) - ANS✔✔ 1. 14G 2.0mm, for surgery/ICU
2. 16G 1.6mm, for giving blood and surgery/ICU
3. 18G 1.2mm, for surgery/ICU trauma, need blood, often surgery
4. 20G 1.0mm, most common for adults, medsurg
5. 22G 0.8mm, adults sometimes
6. 24G 0.7mm, peds and geriatrics sometimes, not often
,golden rule of IV therapy - ANS✔✔ Select the smallest gauge possible and place in the largest
vein possible (unless you'll be giving them blood)
IV catheter parts - ANS✔✔ -air vent
-flashback chamber
-color coded hub
-catheter over removable stylet (beveled)
-safety barrel or sleeve
selecting IV puncture site (3) - ANS✔✔ -Inspect both hands (most distal) and arms, palpating
and visualizing the course of the veins
-Vein should be superficial, easily palpated, and large enough for catheter insertion and
advancement
-Area should be free of lesions, scars, tattoos and away from the joints (ADL's)
NEVER use IV puncture site if (2) - ANS✔✔ -Use veins on the side of a mastectomy or in lower
extremities
-Use an existing fistula or graft for IV access without a specific order from a physician or
authorized prescriber.
palpate veins to assess condition to find ideally: (4) - ANS✔✔ - feels soft and full
- not hard/sclerosed
- not tortuous or knotted
- continually distended by blood
IV injection sites hand - ANS✔✔ Basilic vein, cephalic vein, dorsal metacarpal veins
IV injection sites arm - ANS✔✔ Cephalic vein, Median cubital vein, basilic vein
, Methods to increase vein distention - ANS✔✔ -Apply tourniquet above site to distend veins
-Wrap hand/arm in a warm compress
-Place the arm off the side of the bed
-Have the client lay down on back
-Have client make a fist
-Gently rub the vein in direction of flow
-Gently tap the vein before you prep skin
apply tourniquet ___" above insertion site - ANS✔✔ 4-6"
cleanse insertion site for ____ time - ANS✔✔ 30 seconds
take off or leave tourniquet after picking vein? - ANS✔✔ remove after selecting best straight
and well-dilated vein then after removal clean area
steps for IV stick after picking and cleaning area - ANS✔✔ -Anchor vein (tighten skin)
-Insert the catheter bevel up through skin (15-30º angle)
-Lower angle, advance catheter to enter vein (lower angle for more superficial veins)
-Watch for blood return to indicate vein entrance
-Level off the angle of the catheter, advance a bit further to insure that catheter is also in the
vein
-Advance catheter the rest of the way off stylet into vein
-Stabilize catheter and release the tourniquet
-Apply transparent dressing over insertion site
-Remove the Stylet (safety cap)
PRACTICE REVIEW
goals of IV therapy - ANS✔✔ -Maintain or prevent fluid and electrolyte imbalances
-Administer continuous or intermittent solutions or medications
-Replenish blood volume
-Assist in pain management
review provider orders for (4) - ANS✔✔ -type of fluid
-amt. to be infused
-rate of infusion
-length of fluid therapy
to select catheter gauge consider (4) - ANS✔✔ -flow rate
-type of fluid
-vein status
-viscosity of the fluid
catheter gauge and diameter and use
(6) - ANS✔✔ 1. 14G 2.0mm, for surgery/ICU
2. 16G 1.6mm, for giving blood and surgery/ICU
3. 18G 1.2mm, for surgery/ICU trauma, need blood, often surgery
4. 20G 1.0mm, most common for adults, medsurg
5. 22G 0.8mm, adults sometimes
6. 24G 0.7mm, peds and geriatrics sometimes, not often
,golden rule of IV therapy - ANS✔✔ Select the smallest gauge possible and place in the largest
vein possible (unless you'll be giving them blood)
IV catheter parts - ANS✔✔ -air vent
-flashback chamber
-color coded hub
-catheter over removable stylet (beveled)
-safety barrel or sleeve
selecting IV puncture site (3) - ANS✔✔ -Inspect both hands (most distal) and arms, palpating
and visualizing the course of the veins
-Vein should be superficial, easily palpated, and large enough for catheter insertion and
advancement
-Area should be free of lesions, scars, tattoos and away from the joints (ADL's)
NEVER use IV puncture site if (2) - ANS✔✔ -Use veins on the side of a mastectomy or in lower
extremities
-Use an existing fistula or graft for IV access without a specific order from a physician or
authorized prescriber.
palpate veins to assess condition to find ideally: (4) - ANS✔✔ - feels soft and full
- not hard/sclerosed
- not tortuous or knotted
- continually distended by blood
IV injection sites hand - ANS✔✔ Basilic vein, cephalic vein, dorsal metacarpal veins
IV injection sites arm - ANS✔✔ Cephalic vein, Median cubital vein, basilic vein
, Methods to increase vein distention - ANS✔✔ -Apply tourniquet above site to distend veins
-Wrap hand/arm in a warm compress
-Place the arm off the side of the bed
-Have the client lay down on back
-Have client make a fist
-Gently rub the vein in direction of flow
-Gently tap the vein before you prep skin
apply tourniquet ___" above insertion site - ANS✔✔ 4-6"
cleanse insertion site for ____ time - ANS✔✔ 30 seconds
take off or leave tourniquet after picking vein? - ANS✔✔ remove after selecting best straight
and well-dilated vein then after removal clean area
steps for IV stick after picking and cleaning area - ANS✔✔ -Anchor vein (tighten skin)
-Insert the catheter bevel up through skin (15-30º angle)
-Lower angle, advance catheter to enter vein (lower angle for more superficial veins)
-Watch for blood return to indicate vein entrance
-Level off the angle of the catheter, advance a bit further to insure that catheter is also in the
vein
-Advance catheter the rest of the way off stylet into vein
-Stabilize catheter and release the tourniquet
-Apply transparent dressing over insertion site
-Remove the Stylet (safety cap)