IV IV Infection Control & Sterile Technique 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is a key principle of aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) in IV therapy?
- Only sterile gloves are required for all IV procedures
- Key parts and key sites must never be touched or contaminated (Correct answer)
- Standard precautions alone are sufficient for all IV procedures
- Touch contamination is acceptable if gloves are worn
Correct answer: Key parts and key sites must never be touched or contaminated
ANTT requires that key parts (e.g., needle tips, syringe tips) and key sites (e.g., catheter hubs) are identified and protected from touch contamination throughout any IV procedure.
Question 2: When should sterile gloves be used instead of clean gloves for IV therapy procedures?
- For all peripheral IV insertions
- Only for patients with known infections
- For central venous catheter insertion and other procedures requiring sterile technique per facility policy (Correct answer)
- Sterile gloves are never required for IV procedures
Correct answer: For central venous catheter insertion and other procedures requiring sterile technique per facility policy
Sterile gloves are required for central venous catheter insertion and other procedures designated as sterile technique per INS and CDC guidelines.
Question 3: Which IV solution type requires the most frequent administration set changes due to higher infection risk?
- Normal saline
- Lactated Ringer's solution
- Lipid emulsions (including those in total parenteral nutrition) (Correct answer)
- 5% dextrose in water
Correct answer: Lipid emulsions (including those in total parenteral nutrition)
Lipid-containing IV solutions support microbial growth and require tubing changes every 12–24 hours to prevent infection.
Question 4: A nurse must urgently insert a peripheral IV catheter without optimal skin prep. What is the most important follow-up action?
- Document the insertion and reassess at the next shift
- Replace the catheter at a new site within 48 hours using proper aseptic technique (Correct answer)
- Apply extra tape to secure the catheter
- Administer prophylactic antibiotics immediately
Correct answer: Replace the catheter at a new site within 48 hours using proper aseptic technique
Catheters inserted under emergency conditions without full aseptic technique should be replaced at a new site within 48 hours when the patient is stable.
Question 5: What is the purpose of using an in-line filter for IV infusions?
- To prevent air embolism only
- To remove particulate matter, air, and some microorganisms from the infusion (Correct answer)
- To slow the infusion rate automatically
- To prevent catheter occlusion from blood backflow
Correct answer: To remove particulate matter, air, and some microorganisms from the infusion
In-line filters remove particulate matter, air, and certain microorganisms from IV infusions, reducing the risk of infusion-related complications.
Question 6: Which of the following is a recommended strategy to reduce CLABSI (central line-associated bloodstream infection) rates?
- Routine guidewire exchange of central catheters every 3 days
- Implementation of central line insertion bundles including hand hygiene, maximal barrier precautions, and chlorhexidine antisepsis (Correct answer)
- Using femoral sites for all long-term central access
- Changing central line dressings daily
Correct answer: Implementation of central line insertion bundles including hand hygiene, maximal barrier precautions, and chlorhexidine antisepsis
Central line insertion bundles — combining hand hygiene, maximal barrier precautions, chlorhexidine skin prep, optimal site selection, and daily necessity review — are the evidence-based strategy to reduce CLABSI.
IV IV Infection Control & Sterile Technique 2
Which of the following is a key principle of aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT) in IV therapy?