IV Drug Administration: Comprehensive
Question Bank 1–150 Questions, Answers And
Rationale
(2025/2026)
1. Which of the following is the most common complication of IV
therapy?
a. Phlebitis
b. Infiltration
c. Thrombosis
d. Extravasation
Rationale: Infiltration, the leakage of IV fluid into surrounding
tissue, is the most common complication, especially with
peripheral IVs.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via IV push. Which
action is essential before administration?
a. Checking the patient’s pulse
b. Flushing the IV line
c. Measuring the patient’s weight
d. Assessing lung sounds
Rationale: Flushing the IV line ensures patency and prevents
mixing incompatible medications.
3. Which of the following medications is most likely to cause
phlebitis when given IV?
a. Acetaminophen
b. Vancomycin
c. Lorazepam
d. Ceftriaxone
, Rationale: Vancomycin is an irritant to veins and frequently
causes phlebitis.
4. The most appropriate IV site for a 3-year-old child requiring short-
term therapy is:
a. Subclavian vein
b. Dorsal hand vein
c. Femoral vein
d. Jugular vein
Rationale: Peripheral veins such as the dorsal hand vein are
preferred in children for short-term IV therapy.
5. When administering IV potassium, the nurse should:
a. Administer as a rapid IV push
b. Dilute in compatible fluid and infuse slowly
c. Mix with dextrose 50%
d. Administer undiluted in a peripheral line
Rationale: Potassium must be diluted and given slowly to
prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
6. Which of the following IV solutions is isotonic?
a. 0.45% NaCl
b. 0.9% NaCl
c. 3% NaCl
d. Dextrose 10% in water
Rationale: 0.9% NaCl has the same osmolarity as plasma and is
isotonic.
7. Extravasation is:
a. Infection at the IV site
b. Leakage of vesicant medication into surrounding tissue
c. Formation of a blood clot
d. Localized swelling due to infiltration of isotonic fluids
, Rationale: Extravasation specifically refers to tissue damage
caused by vesicant medications leaking from the vein.
8. A patient receiving IV antibiotics develops a rash, itching, and
difficulty breathing. The nurse should:
a. Slow the infusion
b. Administer an antihistamine and continue
c. Stop the infusion and call for emergency help
d. Document and continue monitoring
Rationale: These are signs of anaphylaxis; the infusion must be
stopped immediately.
9. A nurse is administering IV morphine. Which precaution should be
taken?
a. Use a rapid IV push to reduce pain quickly
b. Monitor respiratory rate and level of consciousness
c. Administer with a large volume of fluid
d. Avoid using a pump
Rationale: IV opioids can cause respiratory depression; careful
monitoring is essential.
10. Which of the following is a vesicant?
a. Dextrose 5%
b. Dopamine
c. Normal saline
d. Ringer’s lactate
Rationale: Dopamine is a vesicant and can cause tissue damage
if it infiltrates.
11. The best method to prevent IV infection is:
a. Change tubing every 96 hours
b. Perform hand hygiene and aseptic technique
c. Administer antibiotics prophylactically
, d. Flush the line once daily
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene and aseptic technique are the
primary prevention for IV-related infections.
12. Which type of IV line is best for long-term antibiotic therapy
at home?
a. Peripheral IV
b. Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
c. Short-term central line
d. Peripheral lock
Rationale: PICC lines are designed for long-term therapy and
reduce repeated venipunctures.
13. When discontinuing a peripheral IV, the nurse should:
a. Pull the catheter quickly without pressure
b. Apply pressure and inspect the site for bleeding
c. Leave the dressing on for 24 hours
d. Flush the catheter
Rationale: Pressure prevents hematoma formation and ensures
hemostasis.
14. Which factor increases the risk of IV infiltration?
a. Using a central line
b. Large vein selection
c. Small, fragile veins
d. Slow infusion rates
Rationale: Fragile veins are more prone to rupture, increasing
the risk of infiltration.
15. IV therapy is contraindicated in a patient with:
a. Hypertension
b. Severe local infection at the proposed site
c. Mild dehydration
Question Bank 1–150 Questions, Answers And
Rationale
(2025/2026)
1. Which of the following is the most common complication of IV
therapy?
a. Phlebitis
b. Infiltration
c. Thrombosis
d. Extravasation
Rationale: Infiltration, the leakage of IV fluid into surrounding
tissue, is the most common complication, especially with
peripheral IVs.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via IV push. Which
action is essential before administration?
a. Checking the patient’s pulse
b. Flushing the IV line
c. Measuring the patient’s weight
d. Assessing lung sounds
Rationale: Flushing the IV line ensures patency and prevents
mixing incompatible medications.
3. Which of the following medications is most likely to cause
phlebitis when given IV?
a. Acetaminophen
b. Vancomycin
c. Lorazepam
d. Ceftriaxone
, Rationale: Vancomycin is an irritant to veins and frequently
causes phlebitis.
4. The most appropriate IV site for a 3-year-old child requiring short-
term therapy is:
a. Subclavian vein
b. Dorsal hand vein
c. Femoral vein
d. Jugular vein
Rationale: Peripheral veins such as the dorsal hand vein are
preferred in children for short-term IV therapy.
5. When administering IV potassium, the nurse should:
a. Administer as a rapid IV push
b. Dilute in compatible fluid and infuse slowly
c. Mix with dextrose 50%
d. Administer undiluted in a peripheral line
Rationale: Potassium must be diluted and given slowly to
prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
6. Which of the following IV solutions is isotonic?
a. 0.45% NaCl
b. 0.9% NaCl
c. 3% NaCl
d. Dextrose 10% in water
Rationale: 0.9% NaCl has the same osmolarity as plasma and is
isotonic.
7. Extravasation is:
a. Infection at the IV site
b. Leakage of vesicant medication into surrounding tissue
c. Formation of a blood clot
d. Localized swelling due to infiltration of isotonic fluids
, Rationale: Extravasation specifically refers to tissue damage
caused by vesicant medications leaking from the vein.
8. A patient receiving IV antibiotics develops a rash, itching, and
difficulty breathing. The nurse should:
a. Slow the infusion
b. Administer an antihistamine and continue
c. Stop the infusion and call for emergency help
d. Document and continue monitoring
Rationale: These are signs of anaphylaxis; the infusion must be
stopped immediately.
9. A nurse is administering IV morphine. Which precaution should be
taken?
a. Use a rapid IV push to reduce pain quickly
b. Monitor respiratory rate and level of consciousness
c. Administer with a large volume of fluid
d. Avoid using a pump
Rationale: IV opioids can cause respiratory depression; careful
monitoring is essential.
10. Which of the following is a vesicant?
a. Dextrose 5%
b. Dopamine
c. Normal saline
d. Ringer’s lactate
Rationale: Dopamine is a vesicant and can cause tissue damage
if it infiltrates.
11. The best method to prevent IV infection is:
a. Change tubing every 96 hours
b. Perform hand hygiene and aseptic technique
c. Administer antibiotics prophylactically
, d. Flush the line once daily
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene and aseptic technique are the
primary prevention for IV-related infections.
12. Which type of IV line is best for long-term antibiotic therapy
at home?
a. Peripheral IV
b. Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
c. Short-term central line
d. Peripheral lock
Rationale: PICC lines are designed for long-term therapy and
reduce repeated venipunctures.
13. When discontinuing a peripheral IV, the nurse should:
a. Pull the catheter quickly without pressure
b. Apply pressure and inspect the site for bleeding
c. Leave the dressing on for 24 hours
d. Flush the catheter
Rationale: Pressure prevents hematoma formation and ensures
hemostasis.
14. Which factor increases the risk of IV infiltration?
a. Using a central line
b. Large vein selection
c. Small, fragile veins
d. Slow infusion rates
Rationale: Fragile veins are more prone to rupture, increasing
the risk of infiltration.
15. IV therapy is contraindicated in a patient with:
a. Hypertension
b. Severe local infection at the proposed site
c. Mild dehydration
