IV Practice Questions
A client who is Jehovah's Witness is having surgery and is concerned about the potential need for blood products. Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate?
"Would you consider the use of artificial blood products?"
A nurse is caring for a client who is on total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which clients are candidates for TPN? (Select all that apply.)
-Clients with major trauma or burns -Clients with liver and renal failure -Clients with inflammatory bowel disease
What is the rate of administration for packed red blood cells?
1 unit over 2 to 3 hours, no longer than 4 hours
A client with a diagnosis of colon cancer has opted for a treatment plan that will include several rounds of chemotherapy. What vascular access device is most likely to meet this client's needs?
An implanted central venous access device (CVAD)
A nurse flushing a capped, peripheral venous access device finds that the IV does not flush easily. What is the appropriate intervention in this situation?
Aspirate and attempt to flush the line again.
A nurse is required to initiate IV therapy for a client. Which should the nurse consider before starting the IV?
Ensure that the prescribed solution is clear and transparent.
A nurse monitoring a client's IV infusion auscultates the client's lung sounds and finds crackles in the bases of lungs that were previously clear. What would be the appropriate intervention in this situation?
Notify the primary care provider immediately for possible fluid overload.
The nurse is caring for a client whose blood type is A negative. Which donor blood type does the nurse confirm as compatible for this client?
O negative
A client has been receiving intravenous (IV) fluids that contain potassium. The IV site is red and there is a red streak along the vein that is painful to the client. What is the priority nursing action?
Remove the IV.
The nurse is determining a site for an IV infusion. What guideline should the nurse consider?
Scalp veins should be selected for infants because of their accessibility.
A patient is receiving a continuous peripheral infusion of 5% dextrose with 0.45% sodium chloride by electronic pump. The pump has alarmed, and the nurse's assessment of the patient's IV site reveals that it is reddened and visibly swollen. The patient admits to some slight discomfort at the site but denies acute pain. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
Stop the infusion and remove the IV cannula.
A client scheduled for surgery has arranged for an autologous transfusion. What type of blood transfusion is this?
The client donates his or her own blood.
A nurse uses an infusion pump to administer the IV solution to a client. The nurse is aware that an infusion pump adjusts the pressure according to the resistance it meets and there is a possibility that the needle may get displaced. How would a change in the needle's position affect the infusion pump?
The pump will continue to infuse fluid even when the needle is displaced.
The nurse is assessing a client's intravenous line and notes small air bubbles within the tubing. What is the priority nursing action?
Tighten the roller clamp to stop the infusion.
A nurse needs to select a venipuncture site to administer a prescribed amount of IV fluid to a client. The nurse looks for a large vein when using a needle with a large gauge. What explains the nurse's action?
To prevent compromising circulation
When the nurse is starting an intravenous infusion on a client who will be receiving multiple intravenous antibiotics, which guideline should the nurse follow?
Use distal veins before proximal veins.
The nurse is preparing to administer fluid replacement to a client. Which action related to intravenous therapy should the nurse do first?
Verify the orders for type of solution and amount of infusion.
Which client would be a candidate for total parenteral nutrition?
a client with colitis and bloody diarrhea
When providing care for a client who has a peripheral intravenous catheter in situ, the nurse should:
change the site every three to four days.
After surgery, a client is on IV therapy for the next 4 days. How often should the nurse change the IV tubing for this client?
every 72 hours
When an older adult client receiving a blood transfusion presents with an elevated blood pressure, distended neck veins, and shortness of breath, the client is most likely experiencing:
fluid overload.
During a blood transfusion, a client displays signs of immediate onset facial flushing, fever, chills, headache, low back pain, and shock. Which transfusion reaction should the nurse suspect?
hemolytic transfusion reaction: incompatibility of blood product
A nurse assessing the IV site of a client observes swelling and pallor around the site, and notes a significant decrease in the flow rate. The client reports coldness around the infusion site. What IV complication does this describe?
infiltration
A client with dehydration is being administered IV fluids. During rounds, the nurse noticed that the skin immediately surrounding the IV site was reddish in color and showing signs of inflammation. The nurse recognizes that what phenomenon is likely responsible?
phlebitis
A client with renal disease requires IV fluids. It is important for the nurse to:
place the fluids on an electronic device.
The nursing instructor is teaching a nursing student about IV solutions. Which action by the nursing student requires the nursing instructor's intervention?
planning to use the solution one month after the expiration date
When capping a primary line for intermittent use, a nurse notices local, acute tenderness; redness, warmth, and slight edema of the vein above the insertion site. What is the most likely complication that has occurred?
thrombus
An intravenous hypertonic solution containing dextrose, proteins, vitamins, and minerals is known as:
total parenteral nutrition.
A nursing instructor is discussing administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with a nursing student. Which statement by the student would require further teaching?
"I will be sure to change the TPN tubing every other day."
A nursing instructor is explaining the difference between infiltration and phlebitis to a student. Which statement is most appropriate?
"Infiltration occurs when IV fluid escapes into the tissue, while phlebitis is inflammation of the vein."
A client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition and lipids asks the nurse why the solution looks like milk. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
"The white milky solution contains lipids or fat to provide extra calories."