Section 7: Fundamentals of IV Therapy 200
Questions & Answers 2025
1. What is the primary purpose of IV therapy?
Answer: To deliver fluids, medications, or nutrients directly into the bloodstream.
2. Which gauge needle is typically used for adult peripheral IV insertion?
Answer: 20-22 gauge.
3. What is the first step before starting IV therapy?
Answer: Verify the physician’s order and check patient identification.
4. What site is preferred for peripheral IV insertion?
Answer: The dorsal surface of the hand or the forearm veins.
5. What is the purpose of flushing an IV catheter with saline?
Answer: To maintain patency and prevent clot formation.
,6. Which IV solution is isotonic?
Answer: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline).
7. What is infiltration?
Answer: Leakage of IV fluid into surrounding tissue causing swelling.
8. What should you do if infiltration occurs?
Answer: Stop the infusion, remove the catheter, elevate the limb, and apply a
warm or cold compress.
9. What is phlebitis?
Answer: Inflammation of a vein due to irritation from the catheter or solution.
10. What are common signs of phlebitis?
Answer: Redness, warmth, tenderness, and a palpable cord along the vein.
11. What is an IV lock (saline lock)?
Answer: A device allowing intermittent IV medication administration without
continuous fluid infusion.
12. What is the risk of using an IV catheter larger than necessary?
,Answer: Increased risk of vein damage and patient discomfort.
13. Which solution is hypertonic?
Answer: 3% Sodium Chloride.
14. What is the main indication for using a central venous catheter (CVC)?
Answer: Long-term IV therapy or administration of irritant/vesicant medications.
15. How often should a peripheral IV site be assessed?
Answer: Every 1 to 2 hours for adults.
16. What is an extravasation?
Answer: Leakage of a vesicant (tissue-damaging) drug into surrounding tissue.
17. What is the best way to prevent infection at the IV site?
Answer: Proper hand hygiene and aseptic technique during insertion and
maintenance.
18. What is the correct angle for peripheral IV insertion?
Answer: 10-30 degrees.
, 19. What should you do if you cannot flush the IV catheter?
Answer: Do not force the flush; assess for blockage or kinking and notify the
provider.
20. How do you identify a vein suitable for IV insertion?
Answer: Veins that are visible, palpable, and not near joints or valves.
21. What type of IV catheter is commonly used for short-term therapy?
Answer: Peripheral intravenous catheter (PVC).
22. What is the most common complication of IV therapy?
Answer: Infiltration.
23. How do you minimize discomfort during IV insertion?
Answer: Use a small gauge catheter, apply topical anesthetic if available, and
insert smoothly.
24. What is the purpose of a tourniquet during IV insertion?
Answer: To engorge veins and make them easier to palpate.
25. How long can a peripheral IV catheter remain in place?
Questions & Answers 2025
1. What is the primary purpose of IV therapy?
Answer: To deliver fluids, medications, or nutrients directly into the bloodstream.
2. Which gauge needle is typically used for adult peripheral IV insertion?
Answer: 20-22 gauge.
3. What is the first step before starting IV therapy?
Answer: Verify the physician’s order and check patient identification.
4. What site is preferred for peripheral IV insertion?
Answer: The dorsal surface of the hand or the forearm veins.
5. What is the purpose of flushing an IV catheter with saline?
Answer: To maintain patency and prevent clot formation.
,6. Which IV solution is isotonic?
Answer: 0.9% Sodium Chloride (Normal Saline).
7. What is infiltration?
Answer: Leakage of IV fluid into surrounding tissue causing swelling.
8. What should you do if infiltration occurs?
Answer: Stop the infusion, remove the catheter, elevate the limb, and apply a
warm or cold compress.
9. What is phlebitis?
Answer: Inflammation of a vein due to irritation from the catheter or solution.
10. What are common signs of phlebitis?
Answer: Redness, warmth, tenderness, and a palpable cord along the vein.
11. What is an IV lock (saline lock)?
Answer: A device allowing intermittent IV medication administration without
continuous fluid infusion.
12. What is the risk of using an IV catheter larger than necessary?
,Answer: Increased risk of vein damage and patient discomfort.
13. Which solution is hypertonic?
Answer: 3% Sodium Chloride.
14. What is the main indication for using a central venous catheter (CVC)?
Answer: Long-term IV therapy or administration of irritant/vesicant medications.
15. How often should a peripheral IV site be assessed?
Answer: Every 1 to 2 hours for adults.
16. What is an extravasation?
Answer: Leakage of a vesicant (tissue-damaging) drug into surrounding tissue.
17. What is the best way to prevent infection at the IV site?
Answer: Proper hand hygiene and aseptic technique during insertion and
maintenance.
18. What is the correct angle for peripheral IV insertion?
Answer: 10-30 degrees.
, 19. What should you do if you cannot flush the IV catheter?
Answer: Do not force the flush; assess for blockage or kinking and notify the
provider.
20. How do you identify a vein suitable for IV insertion?
Answer: Veins that are visible, palpable, and not near joints or valves.
21. What type of IV catheter is commonly used for short-term therapy?
Answer: Peripheral intravenous catheter (PVC).
22. What is the most common complication of IV therapy?
Answer: Infiltration.
23. How do you minimize discomfort during IV insertion?
Answer: Use a small gauge catheter, apply topical anesthetic if available, and
insert smoothly.
24. What is the purpose of a tourniquet during IV insertion?
Answer: To engorge veins and make them easier to palpate.
25. How long can a peripheral IV catheter remain in place?
