NCLEX RN IV Therapy Exam Practice
Test 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an IV medication through a peripheral
IV catheter. Which assessment is most important before administration?
A. The patient's dietary intake
B. The patient's IV site and patency
C. The patient's bowel sounds
D. The patient's urine color
Answer: B. The patient's IV site and patency
Rationale: The IV site must be assessed for patency and complications such as
infiltration, phlebitis, or infection before administering an IV medication.
2. A patient receiving IV fluids develops swelling, coolness, and pallor
around the IV insertion site. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Phlebitis
B. Infiltration
C. Fluid overload
D. Hematoma
Answer: B. Infiltration
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when a nonvesicant IV solution leaks into
surrounding tissue, causing swelling, coolness, pallor, and discomfort.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of phlebitis at a peripheral IV site?
,A. Cool, pale skin
B. Edema without redness
C. Warmth, erythema, and tenderness along the vein
D. Absence of blood return only
Answer: C. Warmth, erythema, and tenderness along the vein
Rationale: Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein and commonly causes
warmth, redness, tenderness, and sometimes a palpable venous cord.
4. A nurse notices redness, warmth, swelling, and purulent drainage at an
IV insertion site. What is the priority action?
A. Slow the infusion
B. Apply a warm compress and continue the infusion
C. Stop the infusion and remove the catheter
D. Flush the catheter with normal saline
Answer: C. Stop the infusion and remove the catheter
Rationale: These findings suggest an IV-site infection. The infusion should be
stopped and the catheter removed according to facility policy.
5. Which solution is isotonic?
A. 0.45% sodium chloride
B. 0.9% sodium chloride
C. 3% sodium chloride
D. 0.33% sodium chloride
Answer: B. 0.9% sodium chloride
Rationale: 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic solution commonly used for
fluid replacement and volume expansion.
6. Which IV solution is hypertonic?
A. 0.45% sodium chloride
B. 0.9% sodium chloride
C. 3% sodium chloride
D. 5% dextrose in water after metabolism
Answer: C. 3% sodium chloride
,Rationale: 3% sodium chloride is hypertonic and draws water from
intracellular spaces into the extracellular vascular compartment.
7. Which assessment finding in a patient receiving IV fluids requires
immediate attention?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
C. New crackles and dyspnea
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mmHg
Answer: C. New crackles and dyspnea
Rationale: New pulmonary crackles and dyspnea may indicate fluid overload
and pulmonary edema, requiring prompt intervention.
8. A patient receiving an IV infusion suddenly develops chest pain, dyspnea,
coughing, and cyanosis. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Infiltration
B. Air embolism
C. Phlebitis
D. Hematoma
Answer: B. Air embolism
Rationale: Sudden respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms during IV
therapy may indicate an air embolism, which is an emergency.
9. What position is generally appropriate for a patient suspected of having
an air embolism?
A. High-Fowler's position
B. Supine with the right side elevated
C. Left lateral position with the head lowered, if tolerated and consistent with
emergency protocol
D. Prone position
Answer: C. Left lateral position with the head lowered, if tolerated and
consistent with emergency protocol
, Rationale: Left lateral positioning with the head lowered has traditionally
been used to help trap air in the right side of the heart while emergency
treatment is initiated. Follow institutional emergency protocols.
10.Which device is designed to control the rate of an IV infusion
electronically?
A. Tourniquet
B. Infusion pump
C. Syringe filter
D. IV catheter
Answer: B. Infusion pump
Rationale: An electronic infusion pump delivers IV fluids or medications at a
programmed rate and is especially useful when precise administration is
required.
11.Before inserting a peripheral IV catheter, which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Apply the dressing
B. Select the largest catheter available
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. Connect the tubing
Answer: C. Perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection-prevention measure and
should occur before preparing and performing IV insertion.
12.Which vein is commonly preferred for peripheral IV access in an adult?
A. External jugular vein
B. Dorsal hand or forearm vein
C. Femoral vein
D. Carotid artery
Answer: B. Dorsal hand or forearm vein
Rationale: Peripheral veins of the hand and forearm are commonly used
because they are accessible and generally safer than larger central vessels.
Test 100 Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an IV medication through a peripheral
IV catheter. Which assessment is most important before administration?
A. The patient's dietary intake
B. The patient's IV site and patency
C. The patient's bowel sounds
D. The patient's urine color
Answer: B. The patient's IV site and patency
Rationale: The IV site must be assessed for patency and complications such as
infiltration, phlebitis, or infection before administering an IV medication.
2. A patient receiving IV fluids develops swelling, coolness, and pallor
around the IV insertion site. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Phlebitis
B. Infiltration
C. Fluid overload
D. Hematoma
Answer: B. Infiltration
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when a nonvesicant IV solution leaks into
surrounding tissue, causing swelling, coolness, pallor, and discomfort.
3. Which finding is most characteristic of phlebitis at a peripheral IV site?
,A. Cool, pale skin
B. Edema without redness
C. Warmth, erythema, and tenderness along the vein
D. Absence of blood return only
Answer: C. Warmth, erythema, and tenderness along the vein
Rationale: Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein and commonly causes
warmth, redness, tenderness, and sometimes a palpable venous cord.
4. A nurse notices redness, warmth, swelling, and purulent drainage at an
IV insertion site. What is the priority action?
A. Slow the infusion
B. Apply a warm compress and continue the infusion
C. Stop the infusion and remove the catheter
D. Flush the catheter with normal saline
Answer: C. Stop the infusion and remove the catheter
Rationale: These findings suggest an IV-site infection. The infusion should be
stopped and the catheter removed according to facility policy.
5. Which solution is isotonic?
A. 0.45% sodium chloride
B. 0.9% sodium chloride
C. 3% sodium chloride
D. 0.33% sodium chloride
Answer: B. 0.9% sodium chloride
Rationale: 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic solution commonly used for
fluid replacement and volume expansion.
6. Which IV solution is hypertonic?
A. 0.45% sodium chloride
B. 0.9% sodium chloride
C. 3% sodium chloride
D. 5% dextrose in water after metabolism
Answer: C. 3% sodium chloride
,Rationale: 3% sodium chloride is hypertonic and draws water from
intracellular spaces into the extracellular vascular compartment.
7. Which assessment finding in a patient receiving IV fluids requires
immediate attention?
A. Moist mucous membranes
B. Urine output of 45 mL/hr
C. New crackles and dyspnea
D. Blood pressure of 118/72 mmHg
Answer: C. New crackles and dyspnea
Rationale: New pulmonary crackles and dyspnea may indicate fluid overload
and pulmonary edema, requiring prompt intervention.
8. A patient receiving an IV infusion suddenly develops chest pain, dyspnea,
coughing, and cyanosis. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Infiltration
B. Air embolism
C. Phlebitis
D. Hematoma
Answer: B. Air embolism
Rationale: Sudden respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms during IV
therapy may indicate an air embolism, which is an emergency.
9. What position is generally appropriate for a patient suspected of having
an air embolism?
A. High-Fowler's position
B. Supine with the right side elevated
C. Left lateral position with the head lowered, if tolerated and consistent with
emergency protocol
D. Prone position
Answer: C. Left lateral position with the head lowered, if tolerated and
consistent with emergency protocol
, Rationale: Left lateral positioning with the head lowered has traditionally
been used to help trap air in the right side of the heart while emergency
treatment is initiated. Follow institutional emergency protocols.
10.Which device is designed to control the rate of an IV infusion
electronically?
A. Tourniquet
B. Infusion pump
C. Syringe filter
D. IV catheter
Answer: B. Infusion pump
Rationale: An electronic infusion pump delivers IV fluids or medications at a
programmed rate and is especially useful when precise administration is
required.
11.Before inserting a peripheral IV catheter, which action should the nurse
perform first?
A. Apply the dressing
B. Select the largest catheter available
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. Connect the tubing
Answer: C. Perform hand hygiene
Rationale: Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection-prevention measure and
should occur before preparing and performing IV insertion.
12.Which vein is commonly preferred for peripheral IV access in an adult?
A. External jugular vein
B. Dorsal hand or forearm vein
C. Femoral vein
D. Carotid artery
Answer: B. Dorsal hand or forearm vein
Rationale: Peripheral veins of the hand and forearm are commonly used
because they are accessible and generally safer than larger central vessels.
