26/08/2025
OET Reading 38
Part A – IV Therapy
Text A: Purpose
Intravenous (IV) therapy delivers fluids, electrolytes, medications, or blood products directly into the venous system. It is indicated in dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and when rapid drug action is required.
Text B: Infection Prevention
Strict aseptic technique is essential during IV insertion and maintenance. The insertion site should be checked regularly for phlebitis, redness, or swelling. Hand hygiene before and after handling the cannula is mandatory.
Text C: Nursing Care
The cannula should be flushed regularly with normal saline to maintain patency. IV fluid bags must be labelled with date and time of initiation. Patients should be monitored for infiltration, which presents as swelling, pain, and cool skin at the site.
Text D: Complications
Common complications include phlebitis, infiltration, fluid overload, and infection. Severe cases may lead to sepsis. Prompt recognition and intervention are essential to prevent adverse outcomes.
Questions 1–7: Which text (A–D)?
1. Describes signs of infiltration
2. Explains when IV therapy is required
3. Mentions sepsis as a possible complication
4. Advises flushing cannula with saline
5. Refers to monitoring site for redness
6. States to label IV fluid bags
7. Notes fluid overload as a risk
Questions 8–14 (Short answers)
8. Name one indication for IV therapy.
9. What should be done before and after handling a cannula?
10. Which solution is used to flush a cannula?
11. What two details must be written on an IV fluid bag?
12. Give one sign of infiltration.
13. What may phlebitis cause at insertion site?
14. What severe complication may result from infection?
Questions 15–20 (Complete sentences)
15. IV therapy delivers fluids and medications into the _______.
16. The insertion site should be checked for _______.
17. Swelling, pain, and cool skin are signs of _______.
18. IV bags must be labelled with _______.
19. Common complications include phlebitis, infiltration, and _______.
20. Prompt recognition and intervention help prevent _______.
Answer Key – IV Therapy
Q1–7: 1. C | 2. A | 3. D | 4. C | 5. B | 6. C | 7. D
Q8–14: 8. Dehydration | 9. Hand hygiene | 10. Normal saline | 11. Date and time | 12. Swelling / pain / cool skin (any one) | 13. Redness | 14. Sepsis
Q15–20: 15. venous system | 16. redness or swelling | 17. infiltration | 18. date and time | 19. fluid overload | 20. adverse outcomes
Ach'z SaGaCiTy