Practice Test Geeks(IV) Intravenous Therapy Certified Practice Test
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IV Complications & Adverse Events Flashcards

6 cards from real IV practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 IV Complications & Adverse Events flashcards as text

  1. A patient develops redness, warmth, and swelling along the vein 2 cm proximal to the IV site. Which complication is most likely?

    Answer: Phlebitis

    Phlebitis is characterized by redness, warmth, pain, and swelling along the course of the vein due to inflammation of the vessel wall.

  2. Which grading scale is most commonly used to assess the severity of phlebitis at a peripheral IV site?

    Answer: Both A and B

    Both the VIP (Visual Infusion Phlebitis) score and the Visual Infusion Phlebitis Scale are widely used tools to grade phlebitis from 0 (no signs) to 5 (advanced phlebitis).

  3. A nurse notices the IV infusion slowing and the area around the insertion site becoming cool, pale, and puffy. What is the most likely complication?

    Answer: Infiltration

    Infiltration occurs when IV fluid leaks into the surrounding tissue, causing coolness, pallor, and swelling at the site.

  4. What is the most immediate nursing action when extravasation of a vesicant medication is suspected?

    Answer: Stop the infusion and leave the catheter in place to aspirate

    The immediate action for suspected vesicant extravasation is to stop the infusion and leave the catheter in place to aspirate residual drug before removal.

  5. Which of the following is a classic sign of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI)?

    Answer: Fever with no other identifiable source in a patient with a central line

    CRBSI classically presents as fever (and sometimes rigors) with no other identifiable infection source in a patient with a central venous catheter.

  6. A patient suddenly develops chest pain, dyspnea, hypotension, and a 'mill-wheel' heart murmur during IV therapy. Which complication should the nurse suspect?

    Answer: Air embolism

    Air embolism presents with sudden chest pain, dyspnea, hypotension, and the pathognomonic 'mill-wheel' murmur caused by air in the right heart.

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