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

140

Questions

150 min

Time Limit

70.00%

Passing Score

Take a Full IV Exam Simulation →

📚 IV Topics to Study (22)

Fluid & Electrolyte Balance · 9 cards Patient Assessment & Monitoring · 9 cards Venous Access Devices · 9 cards Medication Administration & Management · 9 cards IV Site Care & Maintenance · 7 cards IV Site Care & Maintenance · 7 cards IV Site Care & Maintenance · 7 cards IV Complications & Adverse Events · 6 cards IV Complications & Adverse Events · 6 cards IV Complications & Adverse Events · 6 cards IV Equipment & Infusion Technology · 6 cards IV Equipment & Infusion Technology · 6 cards IV Equipment & Infusion Technology · 6 cards IV Infection Control & Sterile Technique · 6 cards IV Infection Control & Sterile Technique · 6 cards IV Infection Control & Sterile Technique · 6 cards IV Nutrition & Blood Products · 6 cards IV Nutrition & Blood Products · 6 cards IV Nutrition & Blood Products · 6 cards IV Therapy in Special Populations · 6 cards IV Therapy in Special Populations · 6 cards IV Therapy in Special Populations · 6 cards

✍️ Sample IV Questions & Answers

1. What is the best practice for monitoring a patient receiving an IV medication infusion?

✓ Monitor the IV site for any signs of infiltration or infection.

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.

2. An elastomeric infusion device (balloon pump) is used primarily for which type of IV therapy?

✓ Ambulatory antibiotic infusions where a portable, non-electronic delivery device is preferred

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.

3. In elderly patients, which factor most significantly increases the risk of IV therapy complications such as fluid overload?

✓ Decreased cardiac and renal reserve

Decreased cardiac and renal reserve in elderly patients impairs their ability to handle IV fluid loads, significantly increasing the risk of fluid overload.

4. Why is it critical to use microbore (low-volume) IV tubing when infusing medications to neonates?

✓ To minimize dead-space volume and prevent large unintended drug boluses during flushes

Microbore tubing minimizes dead-space volume in pediatric IV lines, preventing inadvertent drug boluses when lines are flushed in neonates.

5. Speed shock is best prevented by which of the following nursing actions?

✓ Programming infusion pumps with appropriate rate limits and using bolus checks

Speed shock — a systemic reaction to rapid IV drug delivery — is best prevented by programming infusion pumps with correct rate settings and utilizing secondary line checks.

6. What is the recommended action for a peripheral IV catheter that has a clot or sluggish flow but is otherwise without signs of infection or infiltration?

✓ Remove and replace the catheter at a new site

A peripheral IV catheter that is occluded should be removed and replaced at a new site; force-flushing a clotted peripheral catheter risks dislodging a thrombus or damaging the vessel.

🎯 Free IV Practice Tests

Patient Assessment & Monitoring · 9 questions Medication Administration & Management · 9 questions Venous Access Devices · 9 questions Fluid & Electrolyte Balance · 9 questions IV Site Care & Maintenance · 7 questions IV Site Care & Maintenance · 7 questions IV Site Care & Maintenance · 7 questions IV Complications & Adverse Events · 6 questions IV Complications & Adverse Events · 6 questions IV Infection Control & Sterile Technique · 6 questions

📖 IV Guides & Articles

Your IV Study Path

1. Learn with Flashcards → 2. Drill Practice Tests → 3. Take the Full Exam Simulation

🃏 Flashcards (147)🏆 Exam Simulation