___________________________________________________________________
Nursing 354 IV Therapy Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral intravenous catheter. Which action is
most important before insertion?
A. Apply a warm compress to the site
B. Select the smallest catheter possible
C. Perform hand hygiene and prepare the skin using appropriate antiseptic
technique
D. Apply a tourniquet after cleansing the skin
Answer: Perform hand hygiene and prepare the skin using appropriate antiseptic
technique
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene and skin antisepsis reduce the risk of
introducing microorganisms into the bloodstream.
Question 2
Which peripheral IV site is generally preferred for an adult patient?
A. Vein in the foot
B. Vein in the distal upper extremity
,C. Vein directly over a joint
D. Vein in the upper arm near the shoulder
Answer: Vein in the distal upper extremity
Rationale: Distal veins of the upper extremity are generally preferred because
they preserve more proximal sites for future IV access.
Question 3
A patient reports pain, burning, and swelling at a peripheral IV site during an
infusion. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Fluid overload
B. Air embolism
C. Phlebitis
D. Infiltration
Answer: Infiltration
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when a nonvesicant IV solution enters surrounding
tissue, causing swelling, discomfort, coolness, and decreased infusion flow.
Question 4
Which finding is most characteristic of phlebitis?
A. Cool, pale skin around the IV site
B. Generalized edema
C. Redness, warmth, tenderness, and palpable venous cord
D. Sudden dyspnea
Answer: Redness, warmth, tenderness, and palpable venous cord
Rationale: Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein and commonly presents with
erythema, warmth, tenderness, and a palpable cord along the vein.
Question 5
What should the nurse do first when infiltration is identified?
,A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Flush the catheter vigorously
C. Apply a tourniquet above the site
D. Stop the infusion
Answer: Stop the infusion
Rationale: The infusion must be stopped immediately to prevent additional fluid
from entering the surrounding tissue.
Question 6
Which IV catheter is generally appropriate for rapid administration of large
volumes of fluid?
A. 24-gauge
B. 22-gauge
C. 14- or 16-gauge
D. 26-gauge
Answer: 14- or 16-gauge
Rationale: Larger-bore catheters permit rapid administration of fluids and blood
products when clinically indicated.
Question 7
Which finding suggests an IV site may have developed an infection?
A. Mild bruising immediately after insertion
B. Purulent drainage and increasing redness
C. Slight tenderness immediately after insertion
D. Temporary blanching
Answer: Purulent drainage and increasing redness
Rationale: Purulent drainage, progressive erythema, warmth, tenderness, and
systemic manifestations may indicate an IV-related infection.
Question 8
, A nurse is administering an IV medication through a peripheral catheter. What is
the priority before administration?
A. Remove the IV dressing
B. Verify medication compatibility with the IV solution
C. Increase the IV rate
D. Clamp the catheter for 30 minutes
Answer: Verify medication compatibility with the IV solution
Rationale: Incompatible medications and IV solutions can precipitate, inactivate
medications, or cause patient harm.
Question 9
Which solution is isotonic?
A. 0.45% sodium chloride
B. 3% sodium chloride
C. 0.9% sodium chloride
D. 0.225% sodium chloride
Answer: 0.9% sodium chloride
Rationale: 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic crystalloid commonly used for
fluid replacement and maintenance of intravascular volume.
Question 10
A nurse notices redness and tenderness extending along the vein above a
peripheral IV catheter. What is the priority action?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Apply pressure and continue the infusion
C. Flush the catheter
D. Stop the infusion and assess the site
Answer: Stop the infusion and assess the site
Nursing 354 IV Therapy Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download Pdf
___________________________________________________________________
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral intravenous catheter. Which action is
most important before insertion?
A. Apply a warm compress to the site
B. Select the smallest catheter possible
C. Perform hand hygiene and prepare the skin using appropriate antiseptic
technique
D. Apply a tourniquet after cleansing the skin
Answer: Perform hand hygiene and prepare the skin using appropriate antiseptic
technique
Rationale: Proper hand hygiene and skin antisepsis reduce the risk of
introducing microorganisms into the bloodstream.
Question 2
Which peripheral IV site is generally preferred for an adult patient?
A. Vein in the foot
B. Vein in the distal upper extremity
,C. Vein directly over a joint
D. Vein in the upper arm near the shoulder
Answer: Vein in the distal upper extremity
Rationale: Distal veins of the upper extremity are generally preferred because
they preserve more proximal sites for future IV access.
Question 3
A patient reports pain, burning, and swelling at a peripheral IV site during an
infusion. Which complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Fluid overload
B. Air embolism
C. Phlebitis
D. Infiltration
Answer: Infiltration
Rationale: Infiltration occurs when a nonvesicant IV solution enters surrounding
tissue, causing swelling, discomfort, coolness, and decreased infusion flow.
Question 4
Which finding is most characteristic of phlebitis?
A. Cool, pale skin around the IV site
B. Generalized edema
C. Redness, warmth, tenderness, and palpable venous cord
D. Sudden dyspnea
Answer: Redness, warmth, tenderness, and palpable venous cord
Rationale: Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein and commonly presents with
erythema, warmth, tenderness, and a palpable cord along the vein.
Question 5
What should the nurse do first when infiltration is identified?
,A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Flush the catheter vigorously
C. Apply a tourniquet above the site
D. Stop the infusion
Answer: Stop the infusion
Rationale: The infusion must be stopped immediately to prevent additional fluid
from entering the surrounding tissue.
Question 6
Which IV catheter is generally appropriate for rapid administration of large
volumes of fluid?
A. 24-gauge
B. 22-gauge
C. 14- or 16-gauge
D. 26-gauge
Answer: 14- or 16-gauge
Rationale: Larger-bore catheters permit rapid administration of fluids and blood
products when clinically indicated.
Question 7
Which finding suggests an IV site may have developed an infection?
A. Mild bruising immediately after insertion
B. Purulent drainage and increasing redness
C. Slight tenderness immediately after insertion
D. Temporary blanching
Answer: Purulent drainage and increasing redness
Rationale: Purulent drainage, progressive erythema, warmth, tenderness, and
systemic manifestations may indicate an IV-related infection.
Question 8
, A nurse is administering an IV medication through a peripheral catheter. What is
the priority before administration?
A. Remove the IV dressing
B. Verify medication compatibility with the IV solution
C. Increase the IV rate
D. Clamp the catheter for 30 minutes
Answer: Verify medication compatibility with the IV solution
Rationale: Incompatible medications and IV solutions can precipitate, inactivate
medications, or cause patient harm.
Question 9
Which solution is isotonic?
A. 0.45% sodium chloride
B. 3% sodium chloride
C. 0.9% sodium chloride
D. 0.225% sodium chloride
Answer: 0.9% sodium chloride
Rationale: 0.9% sodium chloride is an isotonic crystalloid commonly used for
fluid replacement and maintenance of intravascular volume.
Question 10
A nurse notices redness and tenderness extending along the vein above a
peripheral IV catheter. What is the priority action?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Apply pressure and continue the infusion
C. Flush the catheter
D. Stop the infusion and assess the site
Answer: Stop the infusion and assess the site
