UNDERSTANDING THE ESSENTIALS OF
CRITICAL CARE NURSING THIRD EDITION
PERRIN COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS SET
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ What are the signs and symptoms of infiltration?
Answer: Swelling, pale skin, cool to touch, pain, and a slow infusion
rate.
⩥ What action should be taken if infiltration occurs?
Answer: Stop the infusion, remove the IV, and restart at a new site.
⩥ What is phlebitis?
Answer: Phlebitis is the inflammation of the vein.
⩥ What are the signs and symptoms of phlebitis?
Answer: Redness streaking up the vein, swelling, heat, and pain.
⩥ What action should be taken if phlebitis occurs?
Answer: Stop the infusion, remove the IV, and restart at a new site.
,⩥ What is the definition of infection/cellulitis in IV care?
Answer: Infection occurs when bacteria are introduced at the insertion
site.
⩥ What are the signs and symptoms of infection/cellulitis?
Answer: Redness, swelling, drainage, and fever.
⩥ What action should be taken if infection occurs?
Answer: Remove the IV and notify the provider.
⩥ What is the gauge size and color for trauma and blood transfusions?
Answer: 18G, Green.
⩥ What is the gold standard gauge size for IVs?
Answer: 20G, Pink.
⩥ What is the smallest gauge size used for pediatrics?
Answer: 24G, Yellow.
⩥ What is the flushing procedure for IVs?
Answer: Flush once per shift if no continuous IV is running; use a 10
mL saline syringe.
, ⩥ What should be done before flushing an IV?
Answer: Scrub the hub vigorously for 15 seconds and allow it to air dry.
⩥ What is the method for flushing an IV?
Answer: Use the push-pause-push-pause method for a slow and steady
flush.
⩥ What is the purpose of the channel select on an IV pump?
Answer: To confirm programming changes and ensure safety.
⩥ What should be done if an IV pump alarm indicates a patient-side
occlusion?
Answer: Assess the IV site and straighten the patient's arm.
⩥ What is atelectasis?
Answer: Atelectasis is the collapse or closure of the alveoli, preventing
gas exchange.
⩥ What are the signs and symptoms of atelectasis?
Answer: Increased work of breathing, tachypnea, low SpO₂, dyspnea,
and decreased breath sounds.
CRITICAL CARE NURSING THIRD EDITION
PERRIN COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS SET
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ What are the signs and symptoms of infiltration?
Answer: Swelling, pale skin, cool to touch, pain, and a slow infusion
rate.
⩥ What action should be taken if infiltration occurs?
Answer: Stop the infusion, remove the IV, and restart at a new site.
⩥ What is phlebitis?
Answer: Phlebitis is the inflammation of the vein.
⩥ What are the signs and symptoms of phlebitis?
Answer: Redness streaking up the vein, swelling, heat, and pain.
⩥ What action should be taken if phlebitis occurs?
Answer: Stop the infusion, remove the IV, and restart at a new site.
,⩥ What is the definition of infection/cellulitis in IV care?
Answer: Infection occurs when bacteria are introduced at the insertion
site.
⩥ What are the signs and symptoms of infection/cellulitis?
Answer: Redness, swelling, drainage, and fever.
⩥ What action should be taken if infection occurs?
Answer: Remove the IV and notify the provider.
⩥ What is the gauge size and color for trauma and blood transfusions?
Answer: 18G, Green.
⩥ What is the gold standard gauge size for IVs?
Answer: 20G, Pink.
⩥ What is the smallest gauge size used for pediatrics?
Answer: 24G, Yellow.
⩥ What is the flushing procedure for IVs?
Answer: Flush once per shift if no continuous IV is running; use a 10
mL saline syringe.
, ⩥ What should be done before flushing an IV?
Answer: Scrub the hub vigorously for 15 seconds and allow it to air dry.
⩥ What is the method for flushing an IV?
Answer: Use the push-pause-push-pause method for a slow and steady
flush.
⩥ What is the purpose of the channel select on an IV pump?
Answer: To confirm programming changes and ensure safety.
⩥ What should be done if an IV pump alarm indicates a patient-side
occlusion?
Answer: Assess the IV site and straighten the patient's arm.
⩥ What is atelectasis?
Answer: Atelectasis is the collapse or closure of the alveoli, preventing
gas exchange.
⩥ What are the signs and symptoms of atelectasis?
Answer: Increased work of breathing, tachypnea, low SpO₂, dyspnea,
and decreased breath sounds.
