IV IV Equipment & Infusion Technology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An elastomeric infusion device (balloon pump) is used primarily for which type of IV therapy?
- Continuous vasopressor infusions requiring frequent rate adjustments
- Ambulatory antibiotic infusions where a portable, non-electronic delivery device is preferred (Correct answer)
- Rapid IV fluid bolus administration in the ED
- Central line medication infusions in the ICU
Correct answer: 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.
Question 2: What is the recommended position of the drip chamber when setting up a primary IV infusion set?
- Completely full to prevent air entry
- Half-full to allow accurate drop counting and prevent air from entering the pump tubing (Correct answer)
- One-quarter full for slower infusions
- Empty; fluid should be in the tubing only
Correct answer: Half-full to allow accurate drop counting and prevent air from entering the pump tubing
The drip chamber should be half-full to allow accurate visualization of the drop rate and to prevent air from being drawn into the tubing below the chamber.
Question 3: Which gauge peripheral IV catheter is preferred for rapid fluid resuscitation in an adult trauma patient?
- 24-gauge catheter in the hand
- 22-gauge catheter in the forearm
- 16-gauge or larger catheter in the antecubital fossa (Correct answer)
- 18-gauge catheter in the dorsal foot
Correct answer: 16-gauge or larger catheter in the antecubital fossa
Large-bore (16-gauge or larger) peripheral catheters in large antecubital veins allow the maximum flow rates needed for rapid volume resuscitation in trauma.
Question 4: What does 'KVO' (Keep Vein Open) refer to in IV therapy, and what is a typical KVO rate?
- A high infusion rate of 200 mL/hour to maintain patency
- A very slow infusion rate (typically 10–30 mL/hour) used to maintain catheter patency between medication administrations (Correct answer)
- A bolus flush technique using 10 mL NS
- An alarm setting on infusion pumps
Correct answer: A very slow infusion rate (typically 10–30 mL/hour) used to maintain catheter patency between medication administrations
KVO (Keep Vein Open) is a very slow infusion rate, typically 10–30 mL/hour, used to maintain catheter patency and IV access between scheduled medication administrations.
Question 5: Which of the following correctly describes the 'SASH' flush protocol for peripheral IV catheters?
- Saline, Air, Saline, Heparin
- Saline, Administer drug, Saline, Heparin (for heparin-lock catheters) (Correct answer)
- Sterile water, Antibiotic, Saline, Hold
- Sodium chloride, Anticoagulant, Saline, Heparin
Correct answer: Saline, Administer drug, Saline, Heparin (for heparin-lock catheters)
The SASH protocol (Saline-Administer-Saline-Heparin) is used for heparin-lock catheters to confirm patency, administer medication, clear residual drug, and maintain patency with heparin.
Question 6: What is the most important action when a free-flow protection failure is suspected on an infusion pump?
- Increase the alarm volume and continue infusing
- Immediately clamp the administration set and remove the tubing from the pump for inspection (Correct answer)
- Switch to a gravity drip until the pump is repaired
- Document the incident and continue monitoring
Correct answer: Immediately clamp the administration set and remove the tubing from the pump for inspection
Free-flow protection failure means the anti-free-flow device has failed, allowing uncontrolled rapid infusion; immediately clamping the set and removing it from the pump prevents patient harm.
IV IV Equipment & Infusion Technology 2
An elastomeric infusion device (balloon pump) is used primarily for which type of IV therapy?