Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A. Infiltration
This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not typically associated with systemic symptoms like fever, tachycardia, and hypotension.
B. Phlebitis
This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site and is not associated with systemic symptoms like fever, tachycardia, and hypotension.
C. Fluid overload
This choice is incorrect because fluid overload is not associated with symptoms of fever, tachycardia, and hypotension. It is characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea and edema.
D. Sepsis
This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of fever, tachycardia, and hypotension are potential signs of sepsis, a severe infection that can occur as a complication of IV therapy. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Complications of Intravenous therapy. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not typically associated with systemic symptoms like fever, tachycardia, and hypotension.
B) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site and is not associated with systemic symptoms like fever, tachycardia, and hypotension.
C) This choice is incorrect because fluid overload is not associated with symptoms of fever, tachycardia, and hypotension. It is characterized by symptoms such as dyspnea and edema.
D) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of fever, tachycardia, and hypotension are potential signs of sepsis, a severe infection that can occur as a complication of IV therapy. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Similar Questions
A client with a history of diabetes is receiving IV therapy. The client complains of pain and redness at the IV site, and the nurse notices purulent drainage. The nurse should suspect which complication of IV therapy?
A. Infiltration
This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not associated with purulent drainage and redness.
B. Phlebitis
This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site, such as redness, warmth, and swelling, but it does not cause purulent drainage.
C. Infection
This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of pain, redness, and purulent drainage at the IV site are indicative of an infection, which can occur as a complication of IV therapy, especially in clients with diabetes who may have compromised immune systems.
D. Thrombophlebitis
This choice is incorrect because thrombophlebitis does not typically cause purulent drainage at the insertion site.
Full Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not associated with purulent drainage and redness.
B) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site, such as redness, warmth, and swelling, but it does not cause purulent drainage.
C) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of pain, redness, and purulent drainage at the IV site are indicative of an infection, which can occur as a complication of IV therapy, especially in clients with diabetes who may have compromised immune systems.
D) This choice is incorrect because thrombophlebitis does not typically cause purulent drainage at the insertion site.
A nurse is assessing a client receiving IV fluids and notes the presence of fever, chills, and confusion. The client's blood pressure is low, and the skin appears mottled. The nurse should recognize these symptoms as potential signs of which complication?
A. Infiltration
This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not typically associated with systemic symptoms like fever, confusion, and low blood pressure.
B. Phlebitis
This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site and is not associated with systemic symptoms like fever, confusion, and low blood pressure.
C. Fluid overload
This choice is incorrect because fluid overload is not associated with symptoms of fever, chills, and confusion. It may cause elevated blood pressure and edema.
D. Sepsis
This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of fever, chills, confusion, low blood pressure, and mottled skin are potential signs of sepsis, a severe infection that can occur as a complication of IV therapy. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Full Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not typically associated with systemic symptoms like fever, confusion, and low blood pressure.
B) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site and is not associated with systemic symptoms like fever, confusion, and low blood pressure.
C) This choice is incorrect because fluid overload is not associated with symptoms of fever, chills, and confusion. It may cause elevated blood pressure and edema.
D) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of fever, chills, confusion, low blood pressure, and mottled skin are potential signs of sepsis, a severe infection that can occur as a complication of IV therapy. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
A nurse is caring for a client with a peripheral IV catheter in place. The client reports tenderness, warmth, and swelling along the vein path. The nurse should suspect which complication of IV therapy?
A. Infiltration
This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not associated with warmth and swelling along the vein path.
B. Phlebitis
This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site, such as redness, warmth, and swelling, but it does not cause tenderness, warmth, and swelling along the vein path.
C. Thrombophlebitis
This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of tenderness, warmth, and swelling along the vein path are indicative of thrombophlebitis, which is the inflammation of a vein associated with the formation of a blood clot. The clot can cause obstruction along the vein path, leading to the symptoms described by the client.
D. Sepsis
This choice is incorrect because sepsis typically presents with systemic symptoms like fever, chills, and confusion, not localized symptoms along the vein path.Questions
Full Explanation
A) This choice is incorrect because infiltration involves the inadvertent administration of IV fluid into the surrounding tissues and is not associated with warmth and swelling along the vein path.
B) This choice is incorrect because phlebitis typically presents with localized symptoms around the insertion site, such as redness, warmth, and swelling, but it does not cause tenderness, warmth, and swelling along the vein path.
C) This choice is correct. The client's symptoms of tenderness, warmth, and swelling along the vein path are indicative of thrombophlebitis, which is the inflammation of a vein associated with the formation of a blood clot. The clot can cause obstruction along the vein path, leading to the symptoms described by the client.
D) This choice is incorrect because sepsis typically presents with systemic symptoms like fever, chills, and confusion, not localized symptoms along the vein path.
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