CRNI CRNI Home Infusion Therapy and Patient Education 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which criterion must be met before a patient is safely discharged home on IV antibiotic therapy?
- Patient or caregiver demonstrates competency in IV administration technique (Correct answer)
- Patient reports being pain-free
- Patient has private health insurance coverage
- IV catheter is placed in the antecubital fossa
Correct answer: Patient or caregiver demonstrates competency in IV administration technique
Demonstrated competency through return demonstration is required before discharge to ensure the patient can safely manage home IV therapy.
Question 2: Which vascular access device is most commonly used for home infusion therapy requiring weeks of treatment?
- Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) (Correct answer)
- Short peripheral catheter
- Implanted port
- Non-tunneled central venous catheter
Correct answer: Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)
PICCs are preferred for home infusion because they can remain in place for weeks to months and provide reliable central venous access.
Question 3: In the US home infusion model, who shares primary responsibility for patient education about IV therapy?
- The infusion nurse and the home infusion pharmacy team (Correct answer)
- The hospital discharge nurse only
- The prescribing physician only
- The patient's family members
Correct answer: The infusion nurse and the home infusion pharmacy team
Home infusion is a collaborative model where the infusion nurse and pharmacy team together ensure the patient receives comprehensive IV therapy education.
Question 4: What is the most important environmental consideration when a patient prepares IV medications at home?
- A clean, uncluttered surface away from pets and air vents (Correct answer)
- A surface close to the bathroom
- A room temperature above 70°F
- Availability of a sink within reach
Correct answer: A clean, uncluttered surface away from pets and air vents
Preparing IVs on a clean, uncluttered surface away from pets and air vents minimizes the risk of environmental contamination.
Question 5: Which standard governs sterile compounding at home infusion pharmacies in the United States?
- USP <797> standards for pharmaceutical compounding of sterile preparations (Correct answer)
- OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards
- FDA 21 CFR Part 820
- DEA Schedule II regulations
Correct answer: USP <797> standards for pharmaceutical compounding of sterile preparations
USP <797> establishes requirements for sterile compounding environments, beyond-use dates, and personnel training used by home infusion pharmacies.
Question 6: A home infusion patient calls to report that their IV bag appears cloudy. What should the nurse instruct?
- Do not use the bag and contact the pharmacy immediately (Correct answer)
- Shake the bag vigorously — cloudiness is normal
- Use the bag if it is within the beyond-use date
- Warm the bag in a water bath and reassess
Correct answer: Do not use the bag and contact the pharmacy immediately
Cloudiness in an IV preparation may indicate microbial contamination or chemical precipitation, and the bag must not be used; the compounding pharmacy must be notified.
