IV THERAPY EXAM SCRIPT
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
●● When is IV therapy most effective?
Answer: When a large volume of fluid must be quickly administered or
medications must be absorbed faster.
●● What must a physician's order for IV therapy include?
Answer: The date, type of solution or medication, dosage, rate, and
frequency.
●● What are the advantages of IV therapy?
Answer: Direct administration into the vein, intermittent or continuous
infusion, and usually more comfortable than IM or subcutaneous routes.
●● What are the disadvantages of IV therapy?
Answer: Extended administration time, requires skilled providers,
decreases patient mobility, increases infection risk, and potential for
severe adverse reactions.
●● What are the three intravascular compartments?
Answer: Intravascular (blood vessels), intracellular (inside the cell), and
interstitial (between the cells).
, ●● What does the extracellular compartment consist of?
Answer: The intravascular and interstitial compartments, making up ⅓
of total body water.
●● What equipment is used for IV therapy?
Answer: IV administration sets, which include spikes, drip chambers,
tubing with control clamps, and needle adapters.
●● What are the two types of drip chambers?
Answer: Macrodrip (10, 15, 20 drops per mL) and microdrip (60 drops
per mL).
●● What are the types of infusion-control pumps?
Answer: Programmable infusion pumps, syringe pumps, and gravity
controllers.
●● What are peripheral access devices used for?
Answer: Short-term use in peripheral veins in the hand or forearm.
●● What is a midline catheter?
Answer: Used for 2 to 4 weeks; inserted into intermediate-sized veins
for irritating medications or long-term therapy.
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
●● When is IV therapy most effective?
Answer: When a large volume of fluid must be quickly administered or
medications must be absorbed faster.
●● What must a physician's order for IV therapy include?
Answer: The date, type of solution or medication, dosage, rate, and
frequency.
●● What are the advantages of IV therapy?
Answer: Direct administration into the vein, intermittent or continuous
infusion, and usually more comfortable than IM or subcutaneous routes.
●● What are the disadvantages of IV therapy?
Answer: Extended administration time, requires skilled providers,
decreases patient mobility, increases infection risk, and potential for
severe adverse reactions.
●● What are the three intravascular compartments?
Answer: Intravascular (blood vessels), intracellular (inside the cell), and
interstitial (between the cells).
, ●● What does the extracellular compartment consist of?
Answer: The intravascular and interstitial compartments, making up ⅓
of total body water.
●● What equipment is used for IV therapy?
Answer: IV administration sets, which include spikes, drip chambers,
tubing with control clamps, and needle adapters.
●● What are the two types of drip chambers?
Answer: Macrodrip (10, 15, 20 drops per mL) and microdrip (60 drops
per mL).
●● What are the types of infusion-control pumps?
Answer: Programmable infusion pumps, syringe pumps, and gravity
controllers.
●● What are peripheral access devices used for?
Answer: Short-term use in peripheral veins in the hand or forearm.
●● What is a midline catheter?
Answer: Used for 2 to 4 weeks; inserted into intermediate-sized veins
for irritating medications or long-term therapy.
