IV Therapy Certification Exam Certification
Exam Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales latest 2026 Latest version Q&A
|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most common complication of peripheral IV
therapy?
A. Phlebitis
B. Hematoma
C. Air embolism
D. Fluid overload
*Correct Answer: A. Phlebitis – Phlebitis, inflammation of the vein, is the most
common complication due to mechanical irritation or chemical irritation from IV
fluids or medications.
2. What is the appropriate angle for inserting a peripheral IV catheter?
A. 15–30 degrees
B. 45–60 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 5–10 degrees
*Correct Answer: A. 15–30 degrees – This shallow angle helps enter the vein
without puncturing through the back wall.
3. Which of the following veins is preferred for peripheral IV insertion in adults?
A. Cephalic vein
B. Basilic vein
C. Dorsal hand veins
D. Antecubital fossa vein
*Correct Answer: D. Antecubital fossa vein – This site is easily accessible, has good
blood flow, and is less painful for patients.
,4. Before starting IV therapy, the nurse must perform which of the following?
A. Review the patient’s medical history
B. Verify the physician’s order
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. All of the above
*Correct Answer: D. All of the above – Patient safety requires a full assessment,
verification of orders, and proper infection control.
5. How often should IV sites be assessed for complications?
A. Every 4 hours
B. Every 8 hours
C. Every shift
D. Daily
*Correct Answer: A. Every 4 hours – Frequent monitoring allows early detection of
infiltration, phlebitis, or infection.
6. Which of the following is a sign of infiltration?
A. Redness along the vein
B. Coolness and swelling at the insertion site
C. Pain and tenderness
D. Fever
*Correct Answer: B. Coolness and swelling at the insertion site – Infiltration occurs
when IV fluid leaks into surrounding tissue.
7. What is the best way to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections?
A. Frequent flushing with saline
B. Using aseptic technique during insertion
C. Changing IV tubing daily
D. Administering antibiotics prophylactically
*Correct Answer: B. Using aseptic technique during insertion – Proper sterile
technique is the most effective prevention.
8. Which of the following IV fluids is isotonic?
A. 0.45% NaCl
B. 0.9% NaCl
C. 5% Dextrose in water
D. 3% NaCl
, *Correct Answer: B. 0.9% NaCl – Isotonic solutions have the same osmolarity as
blood, maintaining fluid balance.
9. What is the main risk of rapid infusion of hypertonic IV solutions?
A. Hypotension
B. Cellular dehydration
C. Hemolysis
D. Infection
*Correct Answer: B. Cellular dehydration – Hypertonic solutions pull water out of
cells, which can cause cellular shrinkage.
10. Which of the following is the first action if an IV site shows signs of
phlebitis?
A. Apply warm compress
B. Stop the IV infusion
C. Document findings
D. Flush the IV with saline
*Correct Answer: B. Stop the IV infusion – Immediate discontinuation prevents
worsening of inflammation.
11. How often should IV tubing for continuous infusions be changed?
A. Every 12 hours
B. Every 24 hours
C. Every 48–72 hours
D. Weekly
*Correct Answer: C. Every 48–72 hours – CDC guidelines recommend changing
continuous IV tubing every 2–3 days to reduce infection risk.
12. Which complication is indicated by sudden shortness of breath, chest pain,
and hypotension during IV therapy?
A. Phlebitis
B. Air embolism
C. Infiltration
D. Hematoma
*Correct Answer: B. Air embolism – These are classic signs of air entering the
venous system, a medical emergency.
Exam Practice Questions with Detailed
Rationales latest 2026 Latest version Q&A
|INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the most common complication of peripheral IV
therapy?
A. Phlebitis
B. Hematoma
C. Air embolism
D. Fluid overload
*Correct Answer: A. Phlebitis – Phlebitis, inflammation of the vein, is the most
common complication due to mechanical irritation or chemical irritation from IV
fluids or medications.
2. What is the appropriate angle for inserting a peripheral IV catheter?
A. 15–30 degrees
B. 45–60 degrees
C. 90 degrees
D. 5–10 degrees
*Correct Answer: A. 15–30 degrees – This shallow angle helps enter the vein
without puncturing through the back wall.
3. Which of the following veins is preferred for peripheral IV insertion in adults?
A. Cephalic vein
B. Basilic vein
C. Dorsal hand veins
D. Antecubital fossa vein
*Correct Answer: D. Antecubital fossa vein – This site is easily accessible, has good
blood flow, and is less painful for patients.
,4. Before starting IV therapy, the nurse must perform which of the following?
A. Review the patient’s medical history
B. Verify the physician’s order
C. Perform hand hygiene
D. All of the above
*Correct Answer: D. All of the above – Patient safety requires a full assessment,
verification of orders, and proper infection control.
5. How often should IV sites be assessed for complications?
A. Every 4 hours
B. Every 8 hours
C. Every shift
D. Daily
*Correct Answer: A. Every 4 hours – Frequent monitoring allows early detection of
infiltration, phlebitis, or infection.
6. Which of the following is a sign of infiltration?
A. Redness along the vein
B. Coolness and swelling at the insertion site
C. Pain and tenderness
D. Fever
*Correct Answer: B. Coolness and swelling at the insertion site – Infiltration occurs
when IV fluid leaks into surrounding tissue.
7. What is the best way to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infections?
A. Frequent flushing with saline
B. Using aseptic technique during insertion
C. Changing IV tubing daily
D. Administering antibiotics prophylactically
*Correct Answer: B. Using aseptic technique during insertion – Proper sterile
technique is the most effective prevention.
8. Which of the following IV fluids is isotonic?
A. 0.45% NaCl
B. 0.9% NaCl
C. 5% Dextrose in water
D. 3% NaCl
, *Correct Answer: B. 0.9% NaCl – Isotonic solutions have the same osmolarity as
blood, maintaining fluid balance.
9. What is the main risk of rapid infusion of hypertonic IV solutions?
A. Hypotension
B. Cellular dehydration
C. Hemolysis
D. Infection
*Correct Answer: B. Cellular dehydration – Hypertonic solutions pull water out of
cells, which can cause cellular shrinkage.
10. Which of the following is the first action if an IV site shows signs of
phlebitis?
A. Apply warm compress
B. Stop the IV infusion
C. Document findings
D. Flush the IV with saline
*Correct Answer: B. Stop the IV infusion – Immediate discontinuation prevents
worsening of inflammation.
11. How often should IV tubing for continuous infusions be changed?
A. Every 12 hours
B. Every 24 hours
C. Every 48–72 hours
D. Weekly
*Correct Answer: C. Every 48–72 hours – CDC guidelines recommend changing
continuous IV tubing every 2–3 days to reduce infection risk.
12. Which complication is indicated by sudden shortness of breath, chest pain,
and hypotension during IV therapy?
A. Phlebitis
B. Air embolism
C. Infiltration
D. Hematoma
*Correct Answer: B. Air embolism – These are classic signs of air entering the
venous system, a medical emergency.
