IV Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the IV exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 IV Exam Format at a Glance
📚 IV Topics to Study (38)
✍️ Sample IV Questions & Answers
1. A patient has a serum phosphate of 1.5 mg/dL. Which condition is most likely contributing?
Hypophosphatemia commonly results from refeeding syndrome or prolonged malnutrition, as insulin release drives phosphate into cells.
2. What is the best practice for monitoring a patient receiving an IV medication infusion?
The best practice for monitoring a patient receiving an IV medication infusion involves regularly assessing the IV insertion site for signs of complications. This includes checking for infiltration (fluid leaking into surrounding tissue), phlebitis (vein inflammation), or infection (redness, warmth, pus), which can compromise therapy and cause patient harm.
3. A patient receiving IV morphine via PCA pump reports inadequate pain control. The nurse notes the PCA has a 4-hour lockout limit. What is the correct next step?
The nurse must contact the prescriber to reassess pain management and obtain a modified order; independently overriding PCA lockouts or giving unauthorized boluses is unsafe practice.
4. Which IV medication requires protection from light during administration?
Nitroprusside sodium is highly photosensitive and must be wrapped in opaque material during administration to prevent degradation and toxic cyanide byproduct formation.
5. An elastomeric infusion device (balloon pump) is used primarily for which type of IV therapy?
Elastomeric pumps use balloon pressure to deliver medication at a preset rate, making them ideal for home or ambulatory antibiotic infusions that do not require rate adjustment.
6. Which IV solution is most appropriate to treat symptomatic hyponatremia?
3% hypertonic saline raises serum sodium in patients with severe symptomatic hyponatremia.