IV THERAPY EXAMS SCRIPT QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔nursing interventions for air embolism - ✔✔prime tubing properly, answer alarms on
IV pump, never allow IV bag to run dry, place pt. on left side in Trendelenburg position if
embolus suspected
✔✔circulatory overload - ✔✔IV fluids infused too rapidly or in large amounts leading to
hypervolemia and fluid accumulation in lungs; pt will have - crackles, SOB, decrease in
oxygen saturation, jugular vein distention, anxiety, restlessness
✔✔nursing interventions for circulatory overload - ✔✔identify patients at risk, assess
respiratory rate and breath sounds, assess jugular veins for distention, maintain fluids
on IV pump, notify dr. of assessment findings, slow IV rate, raise HOB, give oxygen as
ordered, give diuretics as ordered, I&O
✔✔site infection - ✔✔can lead to systemic infection, more common with central lines;
signs include- red, swollen, warm at site, tenderness, purulent or malodorous discharge,
chills, fever, malaise, increased WBCs
✔✔nursing interventions for site infection - ✔✔prevention with aseptic technique,
assess vital signs q 4 hours, assess for signs of infection
✔✔hematoma - ✔✔raised, ecchymotic area, occurs with multiple IV starts or attempts;
signs-bruising, edema, pain
✔✔nursing interventions for hematoma - ✔✔discontinue IV, apply ice immediately and
then warm compresses after 1 hours, mark border of hematoma to asses for worsening
✔✔pulmonary edema - ✔✔abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs
, ✔✔nursing interventions for pulmonary edema - ✔✔asses respiratory status, assess
jugular veins for distention, raise HOB, give diuretics as ordered
✔✔mixtures with IV fluids - ✔✔method of med. Administration; safest way to administer
IV meds; usually administered over prescribed rate per hour; usually done by pharmacy
to avoid errors; need IV pump to administer safely
✔✔IV injection/Bolus "push" - ✔✔method of med. Administration that's directly inserted
into systemic circulation; good route to use if fluids are restricted--most dangerous
route, always check for blood return prior to administering med; must look if dilution is
required, compatibility, and rate of administration
✔✔volume controlled infusions - ✔✔method of med. Administration; volume of 50-250
mL, usually administered intermittently; time of administration depends on medication
and volume, can be used with or without IV pump, safer than IV push method
✔✔intermittent venous access - ✔✔method of med. Administration - heparin or saline
locks, intermittent use, requires flush SAS (saline flush 5ml, antibiotic, saline flush 5ml)
✔✔ purposes of IV therapy - ✔✔appropriate when a rapid effect is required because
medications enter the patient's bloodstream directly by way of a vein bc they are very
reliable and have more bioavailabilty; also appropriate when medications are too
irritating to tissues to be given by other routes
✔✔colloid fluids - ✔✔fluids contain large protein &/or starch molecules, stay in
intravascular spaces
✔✔crystalloid fluids - ✔✔fluids clear as particles are dissolved in the solution, solutions
can be electrolytes, glucose, or combinations of both, may be administered through
peripheral vein or central vein (PICC; CVC, implantable port)
✔✔3 types of crystalloid solutions - ✔✔isotonic, hypotonic, hypertonic
✔✔nutrient solutions - ✔✔contains some form of carbohydrate and water for calories
and energy (ex 1 L of 5% dextrose, which provides 170 calories)
✔✔electrolyte solutions - ✔✔contains varying amounts of cations and anions; ex- NSS
NaCl solution; Ringer's solution Na, Cl, K, Ca; Lactated Ringer's solution Na, Cl, K, Ca,
and lactate
✔✔isotonic solution - ✔✔solution with the same concentration of solutes as blood
plasma, remain in vascular compartment (expanding intravascular volume)
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔nursing interventions for air embolism - ✔✔prime tubing properly, answer alarms on
IV pump, never allow IV bag to run dry, place pt. on left side in Trendelenburg position if
embolus suspected
✔✔circulatory overload - ✔✔IV fluids infused too rapidly or in large amounts leading to
hypervolemia and fluid accumulation in lungs; pt will have - crackles, SOB, decrease in
oxygen saturation, jugular vein distention, anxiety, restlessness
✔✔nursing interventions for circulatory overload - ✔✔identify patients at risk, assess
respiratory rate and breath sounds, assess jugular veins for distention, maintain fluids
on IV pump, notify dr. of assessment findings, slow IV rate, raise HOB, give oxygen as
ordered, give diuretics as ordered, I&O
✔✔site infection - ✔✔can lead to systemic infection, more common with central lines;
signs include- red, swollen, warm at site, tenderness, purulent or malodorous discharge,
chills, fever, malaise, increased WBCs
✔✔nursing interventions for site infection - ✔✔prevention with aseptic technique,
assess vital signs q 4 hours, assess for signs of infection
✔✔hematoma - ✔✔raised, ecchymotic area, occurs with multiple IV starts or attempts;
signs-bruising, edema, pain
✔✔nursing interventions for hematoma - ✔✔discontinue IV, apply ice immediately and
then warm compresses after 1 hours, mark border of hematoma to asses for worsening
✔✔pulmonary edema - ✔✔abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs
, ✔✔nursing interventions for pulmonary edema - ✔✔asses respiratory status, assess
jugular veins for distention, raise HOB, give diuretics as ordered
✔✔mixtures with IV fluids - ✔✔method of med. Administration; safest way to administer
IV meds; usually administered over prescribed rate per hour; usually done by pharmacy
to avoid errors; need IV pump to administer safely
✔✔IV injection/Bolus "push" - ✔✔method of med. Administration that's directly inserted
into systemic circulation; good route to use if fluids are restricted--most dangerous
route, always check for blood return prior to administering med; must look if dilution is
required, compatibility, and rate of administration
✔✔volume controlled infusions - ✔✔method of med. Administration; volume of 50-250
mL, usually administered intermittently; time of administration depends on medication
and volume, can be used with or without IV pump, safer than IV push method
✔✔intermittent venous access - ✔✔method of med. Administration - heparin or saline
locks, intermittent use, requires flush SAS (saline flush 5ml, antibiotic, saline flush 5ml)
✔✔ purposes of IV therapy - ✔✔appropriate when a rapid effect is required because
medications enter the patient's bloodstream directly by way of a vein bc they are very
reliable and have more bioavailabilty; also appropriate when medications are too
irritating to tissues to be given by other routes
✔✔colloid fluids - ✔✔fluids contain large protein &/or starch molecules, stay in
intravascular spaces
✔✔crystalloid fluids - ✔✔fluids clear as particles are dissolved in the solution, solutions
can be electrolytes, glucose, or combinations of both, may be administered through
peripheral vein or central vein (PICC; CVC, implantable port)
✔✔3 types of crystalloid solutions - ✔✔isotonic, hypotonic, hypertonic
✔✔nutrient solutions - ✔✔contains some form of carbohydrate and water for calories
and energy (ex 1 L of 5% dextrose, which provides 170 calories)
✔✔electrolyte solutions - ✔✔contains varying amounts of cations and anions; ex- NSS
NaCl solution; Ringer's solution Na, Cl, K, Ca; Lactated Ringer's solution Na, Cl, K, Ca,
and lactate
✔✔isotonic solution - ✔✔solution with the same concentration of solutes as blood
plasma, remain in vascular compartment (expanding intravascular volume)
