Practical Nurse (2026) Q&A
1. Under Ohio Board of Nursing regulations, what is the minimum patient age for an LPN to
initiate or maintain intravenous therapy?
A) 12 years old
B) 16 years old
C) 18 years old
D) 21 years old
Correct Answer: 18 years old
Rationale: Ohio Board of Nursing regulations permit LPNs to initiate and maintain IV
therapy on patients who are 18 years of age or older. Patients younger than 18 require an
RN or provider to initiate and oversee IV therapy. This scope limitation is a frequently
tested regulatory concept for practical nursing students.
2. Which action is strictly prohibited for an LPN under Ohio scope of practice when caring
for a patient receiving intravenous pain management?
A) Programming or setting a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump
B) Stopping an IV infusion if a reaction is suspected
C) Hanging a second bag of an isotonic solution
D) Changing the dressing on a peripheral IV site
Correct Answer: Programming or setting a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump
,Rationale: Ohio scope of practice prohibits LPNs from programming or setting PCA
pumps because this requires ongoing pain assessment and dose adjustment within the RN
scope. LPNs may stop an infusion for suspected reaction, hang subsequent isotonic bags,
and change peripheral IV dressings.
3. An LPN is caring for an adult patient prescribed intravenous antibiotics. Which action is
permitted under Ohio scope of practice?
A) Calculating the dose and administering the antibiotic by IV push
B) Hanging the first bag of antibiotics
C) Adjusting the infusion rate for the antibiotic
D) Changing the antibiotic to a different class
Correct Answer: Hanging the first bag of antibiotics
Rationale: Ohio scope permits LPNs to hang the first bag of antibiotics for adult patients,
provided the initial IV access was established by an RN or provider. LPNs may not calculate
and administer IV push antibiotics, adjust infusion rates for antibiotics, or change
prescribed medications.
4. Which intravenous solution is classified as isotonic?
A) 0.45% sodium chloride
B) 3% sodium chloride
C) 0.9% sodium chloride
D) 0.33% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: 0.9% sodium chloride
, Rationale: 0.9% sodium chloride is isotonic and expands extracellular fluid volume
without causing significant fluid shifts between compartments. 0.45% and 0.33% sodium
chloride are hypotonic, and 3% sodium chloride is hypertonic.
5. A patient with hypernatremia is prescribed an intravenous solution. Which type of
solution should the nurse anticipate?
A) Isotonic solution
B) Hypotonic solution
C) Hypertonic solution
D) Colloid solution
Correct Answer: Hypotonic solution
Rationale: Hypernatremia involves excess sodium relative to water, so hypotonic
solutions such as 0.45% sodium chloride are used to move water into cells and gradually
correct the sodium concentration. Isotonic and hypertonic solutions would worsen
hypernatremia.
6. Which intravenous solution is most appropriate for a patient with cerebral edema?
A) 0.45% sodium chloride
B) 0.9% sodium chloride
C) Lactated Ringer's
D) 3% sodium chloride
Correct Answer: 3% sodium chloride