AEMT IV Therapy and Fluid Administration 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which IV fluid is classified as an isotonic crystalloid and is most commonly used for volume resuscitation in the prehospital setting?
- Dextrose 50% (D50W)
- 0.45% Normal Saline (half-normal)
- 0.9% Normal Saline (NS) (Correct answer)
- Albumin 5%
Correct answer: 0.9% Normal Saline (NS)
0.9% Normal Saline is an isotonic crystalloid that remains in the intravascular space and is the most widely used prehospital resuscitation fluid.
Question 2: The preferred IV site for most adult emergency patients is:
- External jugular vein
- Femoral vein
- Antecubital fossa vein (Correct answer)
- Dorsal foot vein
Correct answer: Antecubital fossa vein
The antecubital fossa provides large, easily accessible veins and allows rapid fluid delivery, making it the preferred site in emergencies.
Question 3: A 20-gauge IV catheter is inserted and the patient is to receive a fluid bolus. What does increasing the IV bag height accomplish?
- It decreases flow rate by reducing back pressure
- It increases flow rate by increasing hydrostatic pressure (Correct answer)
- It has no effect on flow rate
- It reduces the risk of air embolism
Correct answer: It increases flow rate by increasing hydrostatic pressure
Raising the IV bag increases hydrostatic pressure in the tubing, which increases the flow rate of the infusing fluid.
Question 4: You attempt IV access twice without success. Per most AEMT protocols, you should next:
- Continue attempting peripheral IVs until you succeed
- Consider IO access or notify medical direction (Correct answer)
- Place a central line
- Administer medications IM instead of IV
Correct answer: Consider IO access or notify medical direction
Most protocols limit peripheral IV attempts to two before escalating to IO access or contacting medical direction for guidance.
Question 5: Which of the following is a sign of IV infiltration?
- Blood return in the catheter hub
- Swelling, coolness, and pain at the insertion site (Correct answer)
- Increased flow rate
- Patient reports warmth along the vein
Correct answer: Swelling, coolness, and pain at the insertion site
Infiltration occurs when fluid leaks into surrounding tissue, causing local swelling, coolness, and pain at the insertion site.
Question 6: Lactated Ringer's (LR) solution differs from 0.9% NS in that LR:
- Is hypertonic and pulls fluid into the vascular space
- Contains potassium, calcium, and lactate, more closely mimicking plasma electrolytes (Correct answer)
- Is contraindicated in trauma patients
- Contains dextrose for energy support
Correct answer: Contains potassium, calcium, and lactate, more closely mimicking plasma electrolytes
Lactated Ringer's contains electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl⁻, lactate) that more closely approximate plasma composition compared to normal saline.
AEMT IV Therapy and Fluid Administration 1
Which IV fluid is classified as an isotonic crystalloid and is most commonly used for volume resuscitation in the prehospital setting?