Back-to-School September 2025/2026 | Infusion Therapy
Standards and Clinical Application Exam Prep | 250+
Verified Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales | Comprehensive Study Guide on IV
Therapy, Vascular Access & Infusion Nursing Best
Practices | Nursing, BSN, and Certification Review
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an IV medication. What is the most
important step before administration?
A) Check the client's vital signs
B) Verify the medication against the MAR
C) Prepare the infusion pump
D) Assess the IV site
Answer: B - "Verify the medication against the MAR."
RATIONALE: Ensuring the medication matches the medication administration record
(MAR) is crucial for patient safety.
2. What is the priority nursing action when a client reports pain at the IV
site?
A) Administer pain medication
B) Change the IV site
C) Assess the IV site for complications
D) Document the client's complaint
Answer: C - "Assess the IV site for complications."
RATIONALE: Assessing the site helps determine if there are issues such as infiltration
or phlebitis that need to be addressed.
3. A nurse is administering a blood transfusion. What is the most critical
step to take before starting the transfusion?
A) Warm the blood product
B) Administer a saline flush
C) Verify the blood product with another nurse
D) Pre-medicate with antihistamines
Answer: C - "Verify the blood product with another nurse."
RATIONALE: Double-checking with another nurse ensures the correct blood product is
being administered to the right patient.
4. What is the appropriate action if a patient develops a fever during a
blood transfusion?
A) Continue the transfusion
B) Stop the transfusion immediately
, C) Give antipyretics
D) Document the fever
Answer: B - "Stop the transfusion immediately."
RATIONALE: Stopping the transfusion is necessary to prevent further complications
and initiate appropriate interventions.
5. A nurse is preparing to start an IV infusion. Which gauge needle is
appropriate for an adult client?
A) 18-gauge
B) 22-gauge
C) 24-gauge
D) 16-gauge
Answer: A - "18-gauge."
RATIONALE: An 18-gauge needle is commonly used for rapid infusions and blood
transfusions in adults.
6. Which of the following is a sign of infiltration at an IV site?
A) Redness and warmth
B) Swelling and coolness
C) Pain at the site
D) All of the above
Answer: D - "All of the above."
RATIONALE: Infiltration can present with swelling, coolness, pain, and changes in skin
color.
7. A nurse is administering a medication via a peripheral IV. What is the
best practice to prevent phlebitis?
A) Use a larger gauge catheter
B) Change the IV site every 48 hours
C) Use an appropriate dilution for medications
D) Apply warm compresses to the site
Answer: C - "Use an appropriate dilution for medications."
RATIONALE: Proper dilution can help minimize irritation to the vein and reduce the
risk of phlebitis.
8. When administering TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition), what lab values
are essential to monitor?
A) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
, B) Blood glucose levels
C) Serum electrolytes
D) Both B and C
Answer: D - "Both B and C."
RATIONALE: Monitoring blood glucose and electrolytes is crucial to prevent
complications associated with TPN.
9. A nurse notices a client with a central venous catheter is experiencing
shortness of breath and chest pain. What should be the nurse's
immediate action?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Call for help
C) Assess the catheter site
D) Position the client in a semi-Fowler's position
Answer: B - "Call for help."
RATIONALE: These symptoms could indicate a serious complication such as a
pneumothorax or embolism requiring immediate intervention.
10. What is the primary purpose of using a saline lock?
A) To provide a route for medication administration
B) To prevent fluid overload
C) To minimize the risk of infection
D) To allow for intermittent access
Answer: D - "To allow for intermittent access."
RATIONALE: A saline lock provides a way to access the vein without continuous fluid
infusion.
11. A patient receiving IV fluids develops crackles in the lungs. What is the
priority nursing action?
A) Increase the IV flow rate
B) Position the patient upright
C) Monitor vital signs
D) Administer a diuretic
Answer: B - "Position the patient upright."
RATIONALE: Positioning the patient upright can help alleviate respiratory distress and
facilitate breathing.
, 12. When preparing to administer an IV medication, what is the nurse's
responsibility regarding medication verification?
A) Verify only with the MAR
B) Check the medication against the label and MAR
C) Only verify with the pharmacy
D) No verification is necessary
Answer: B - "Check the medication against the label and MAR."
RATIONALE: Double-checking the medication against the label and MAR ensures the
right drug is given to the right patient.
13. Which intravenous solution is typically used for rehydration?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride
B) D5W
C) D5 0.45% NaCl
D) Lactated Ringer's
Answer: A - "0.9% sodium chloride."
RATIONALE: Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is commonly used for rehydration in patients.
14. A nurse is administering IV antibiotics. What is the best practice
regarding infusion time?
A) Administer as quickly as possible
B) Administer over the recommended time as per protocol
C) Administer only during the day shift
D) Administer with a large volume of fluid
Answer: B - "Administer over the recommended time as per protocol."
RATIONALE: Following the recommended infusion time helps reduce the risk of
adverse reactions.
15. What should a nurse do if a patient complains of a burning sensation
during an IV infusion?
A) Increase the flow rate
B) Stop the infusion immediately
C) Change the IV site
D) Document the complaint
Answer: B - "Stop the infusion immediately."
RATIONALE: A burning sensation may indicate infiltration or phlebitis, requiring
immediate action.
Standards and Clinical Application Exam Prep | 250+
Verified Practice Questions with Answers &
Rationales | Comprehensive Study Guide on IV
Therapy, Vascular Access & Infusion Nursing Best
Practices | Nursing, BSN, and Certification Review
1. A nurse is preparing to administer an IV medication. What is the most
important step before administration?
A) Check the client's vital signs
B) Verify the medication against the MAR
C) Prepare the infusion pump
D) Assess the IV site
Answer: B - "Verify the medication against the MAR."
RATIONALE: Ensuring the medication matches the medication administration record
(MAR) is crucial for patient safety.
2. What is the priority nursing action when a client reports pain at the IV
site?
A) Administer pain medication
B) Change the IV site
C) Assess the IV site for complications
D) Document the client's complaint
Answer: C - "Assess the IV site for complications."
RATIONALE: Assessing the site helps determine if there are issues such as infiltration
or phlebitis that need to be addressed.
3. A nurse is administering a blood transfusion. What is the most critical
step to take before starting the transfusion?
A) Warm the blood product
B) Administer a saline flush
C) Verify the blood product with another nurse
D) Pre-medicate with antihistamines
Answer: C - "Verify the blood product with another nurse."
RATIONALE: Double-checking with another nurse ensures the correct blood product is
being administered to the right patient.
4. What is the appropriate action if a patient develops a fever during a
blood transfusion?
A) Continue the transfusion
B) Stop the transfusion immediately
, C) Give antipyretics
D) Document the fever
Answer: B - "Stop the transfusion immediately."
RATIONALE: Stopping the transfusion is necessary to prevent further complications
and initiate appropriate interventions.
5. A nurse is preparing to start an IV infusion. Which gauge needle is
appropriate for an adult client?
A) 18-gauge
B) 22-gauge
C) 24-gauge
D) 16-gauge
Answer: A - "18-gauge."
RATIONALE: An 18-gauge needle is commonly used for rapid infusions and blood
transfusions in adults.
6. Which of the following is a sign of infiltration at an IV site?
A) Redness and warmth
B) Swelling and coolness
C) Pain at the site
D) All of the above
Answer: D - "All of the above."
RATIONALE: Infiltration can present with swelling, coolness, pain, and changes in skin
color.
7. A nurse is administering a medication via a peripheral IV. What is the
best practice to prevent phlebitis?
A) Use a larger gauge catheter
B) Change the IV site every 48 hours
C) Use an appropriate dilution for medications
D) Apply warm compresses to the site
Answer: C - "Use an appropriate dilution for medications."
RATIONALE: Proper dilution can help minimize irritation to the vein and reduce the
risk of phlebitis.
8. When administering TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition), what lab values
are essential to monitor?
A) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
, B) Blood glucose levels
C) Serum electrolytes
D) Both B and C
Answer: D - "Both B and C."
RATIONALE: Monitoring blood glucose and electrolytes is crucial to prevent
complications associated with TPN.
9. A nurse notices a client with a central venous catheter is experiencing
shortness of breath and chest pain. What should be the nurse's
immediate action?
A) Administer oxygen
B) Call for help
C) Assess the catheter site
D) Position the client in a semi-Fowler's position
Answer: B - "Call for help."
RATIONALE: These symptoms could indicate a serious complication such as a
pneumothorax or embolism requiring immediate intervention.
10. What is the primary purpose of using a saline lock?
A) To provide a route for medication administration
B) To prevent fluid overload
C) To minimize the risk of infection
D) To allow for intermittent access
Answer: D - "To allow for intermittent access."
RATIONALE: A saline lock provides a way to access the vein without continuous fluid
infusion.
11. A patient receiving IV fluids develops crackles in the lungs. What is the
priority nursing action?
A) Increase the IV flow rate
B) Position the patient upright
C) Monitor vital signs
D) Administer a diuretic
Answer: B - "Position the patient upright."
RATIONALE: Positioning the patient upright can help alleviate respiratory distress and
facilitate breathing.
, 12. When preparing to administer an IV medication, what is the nurse's
responsibility regarding medication verification?
A) Verify only with the MAR
B) Check the medication against the label and MAR
C) Only verify with the pharmacy
D) No verification is necessary
Answer: B - "Check the medication against the label and MAR."
RATIONALE: Double-checking the medication against the label and MAR ensures the
right drug is given to the right patient.
13. Which intravenous solution is typically used for rehydration?
A) 0.9% sodium chloride
B) D5W
C) D5 0.45% NaCl
D) Lactated Ringer's
Answer: A - "0.9% sodium chloride."
RATIONALE: Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is commonly used for rehydration in patients.
14. A nurse is administering IV antibiotics. What is the best practice
regarding infusion time?
A) Administer as quickly as possible
B) Administer over the recommended time as per protocol
C) Administer only during the day shift
D) Administer with a large volume of fluid
Answer: B - "Administer over the recommended time as per protocol."
RATIONALE: Following the recommended infusion time helps reduce the risk of
adverse reactions.
15. What should a nurse do if a patient complains of a burning sensation
during an IV infusion?
A) Increase the flow rate
B) Stop the infusion immediately
C) Change the IV site
D) Document the complaint
Answer: B - "Stop the infusion immediately."
RATIONALE: A burning sensation may indicate infiltration or phlebitis, requiring
immediate action.
