Fluid & Electrolyte (IV Therapy) Questions
With Complete Solutions
A confused elderly patient has pulled out her IV twice. The
health care provider has ordered restraints and that the IV be
restarted for the transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs).
Which factors in this situation may alter the rate of infusion?
Select all that apply. Correct Answers -Manipulation of the IV
catheter by the patient.
-Viscosity (thickness) and temperature of the infusion.
-Improperly placed restraints.
A hypertonic solution used carefully in patients at risk for fluid
overload because it pulls fluid into the vascular space. Correct
Answers D5LR
D51/2 NS
A hypotonic solution administered to dilute extracellular fluid
and rehydrate cells. Correct Answers 0.45% NaCl
A nurse takes precautions to prevent an undesirable outcome
when administering medications by the IV route. Which of the
following actions may produce an undesirable outcome? The
nurse: Correct Answers adds piggyback infusion of an
antibiotic to main line IV of parenteral nutrition.
A nurse working in the emergency room has elected to use
macrodrip IV tubing. For which patient would this be most
appropriate? Correct Answers A hypotensive adult trauma
victim with cool, clammy skin.
,A nursing instructor is assisting a student nurse to change the
peripheral IV dressing on a patient. Which action, if made by the
nursing student, indicates further teaching is necessary? Select
all that apply. Correct Answers -The student nurse applies
sterile gloves and removes the old dressing, being careful to
avoid dislodging the catheter.
-After completing the dressing change, the student nurse
documents in the patient's chart the presence of swelling,
coolness, blanching, and complaints of pain at the insertion site.
-The student nurse cleans the site with a povidone-iodine swab
in a concentric circle and immediately applies a new dressing to
protect against infection.
A patient has an order for the administration of 1000 mL of
0.9% normal saline at 100 mL/hr. The nurse begins the infusion
at 0900. At noon the nurse notices that 500 mL has infused. Of
the following options, which should be the nurse's highest
priority action? Correct Answers Assess the patient for
symptoms of fluid volume overload.
A patient has been receiving intravenous (IV) antibiotics and as
a result has had several IV site locations. What action can the
nurse take to promote venous distention in the patient? Select all
that apply. Correct Answers -Apply a warm pack to the arm for
several minutes.
-Rub or stroke the patient's arm.
A patient has received 1000 mL of IV fluid in 2 hours. The
patient has dyspnea, tachycardia, crackles in the lungs, and
peripheral edema. What is the nurse's priority action at this
, time? Correct Answers Slow infusion to keep vein open (KVO)
and notify health care provider.
A vital factor in the care of a peripheral IV infusion is the
prevention of infection. Which of the following, if performed by
the nurse, would indicate that the nurse requires further
instruction in IV fluid therapy management? The nurse: Correct
Answers palpates the IV insertion site after the site is cleansed
to verify vein location before needle insertion.
Abnormal serum electrolytes Correct Answers Notify health
care provider; additives in IV or type of IV fluid may be
adjusted.
Advantages of administering medications by intravenous (IV)
bolus: Correct Answers -Ability to maintain a patient on a strict
fluid restriction.
-Avoids possible discomfort with highly alkaline medications
compared with the subcutaneous or intramuscular (IM) route.
-Time it takes to achieve constant therapeutic drug levels.
-Quick route of administration in an emergency; rapid response.
An adult patient developed a complication with his IV and it had
to be removed, yet continued IV fluids were needed. Which site
would be most appropriate for the nurse to choose? Correct
Answers Proximal to the previous IV site.
An elderly patient is receiving 0.9% normal saline at 125 mL per
hour. The nursing assistive personnel (NAP) reports the patient
is complaining of feeling short of breath. The nurse determines
the patient is experiencing fluid volume excess. What other
With Complete Solutions
A confused elderly patient has pulled out her IV twice. The
health care provider has ordered restraints and that the IV be
restarted for the transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs).
Which factors in this situation may alter the rate of infusion?
Select all that apply. Correct Answers -Manipulation of the IV
catheter by the patient.
-Viscosity (thickness) and temperature of the infusion.
-Improperly placed restraints.
A hypertonic solution used carefully in patients at risk for fluid
overload because it pulls fluid into the vascular space. Correct
Answers D5LR
D51/2 NS
A hypotonic solution administered to dilute extracellular fluid
and rehydrate cells. Correct Answers 0.45% NaCl
A nurse takes precautions to prevent an undesirable outcome
when administering medications by the IV route. Which of the
following actions may produce an undesirable outcome? The
nurse: Correct Answers adds piggyback infusion of an
antibiotic to main line IV of parenteral nutrition.
A nurse working in the emergency room has elected to use
macrodrip IV tubing. For which patient would this be most
appropriate? Correct Answers A hypotensive adult trauma
victim with cool, clammy skin.
,A nursing instructor is assisting a student nurse to change the
peripheral IV dressing on a patient. Which action, if made by the
nursing student, indicates further teaching is necessary? Select
all that apply. Correct Answers -The student nurse applies
sterile gloves and removes the old dressing, being careful to
avoid dislodging the catheter.
-After completing the dressing change, the student nurse
documents in the patient's chart the presence of swelling,
coolness, blanching, and complaints of pain at the insertion site.
-The student nurse cleans the site with a povidone-iodine swab
in a concentric circle and immediately applies a new dressing to
protect against infection.
A patient has an order for the administration of 1000 mL of
0.9% normal saline at 100 mL/hr. The nurse begins the infusion
at 0900. At noon the nurse notices that 500 mL has infused. Of
the following options, which should be the nurse's highest
priority action? Correct Answers Assess the patient for
symptoms of fluid volume overload.
A patient has been receiving intravenous (IV) antibiotics and as
a result has had several IV site locations. What action can the
nurse take to promote venous distention in the patient? Select all
that apply. Correct Answers -Apply a warm pack to the arm for
several minutes.
-Rub or stroke the patient's arm.
A patient has received 1000 mL of IV fluid in 2 hours. The
patient has dyspnea, tachycardia, crackles in the lungs, and
peripheral edema. What is the nurse's priority action at this
, time? Correct Answers Slow infusion to keep vein open (KVO)
and notify health care provider.
A vital factor in the care of a peripheral IV infusion is the
prevention of infection. Which of the following, if performed by
the nurse, would indicate that the nurse requires further
instruction in IV fluid therapy management? The nurse: Correct
Answers palpates the IV insertion site after the site is cleansed
to verify vein location before needle insertion.
Abnormal serum electrolytes Correct Answers Notify health
care provider; additives in IV or type of IV fluid may be
adjusted.
Advantages of administering medications by intravenous (IV)
bolus: Correct Answers -Ability to maintain a patient on a strict
fluid restriction.
-Avoids possible discomfort with highly alkaline medications
compared with the subcutaneous or intramuscular (IM) route.
-Time it takes to achieve constant therapeutic drug levels.
-Quick route of administration in an emergency; rapid response.
An adult patient developed a complication with his IV and it had
to be removed, yet continued IV fluids were needed. Which site
would be most appropriate for the nurse to choose? Correct
Answers Proximal to the previous IV site.
An elderly patient is receiving 0.9% normal saline at 125 mL per
hour. The nursing assistive personnel (NAP) reports the patient
is complaining of feeling short of breath. The nurse determines
the patient is experiencing fluid volume excess. What other
