This quick quiz is designed to help nurses and nursing students reinforce their knowledge of IV catheter gauge sizes, corresponding colors, and appropriate clinical uses. Knowing the right gauge to choose is essential for safe and effective patient care, especially in emergencies, trauma, or when dealing with fragile veins.
Before taking the quiz, you may want to review our IV gauge sizes and colors article, or view our IV gauge sizes and colors video. And don’t forget about more free nursing quizzes and nursing NCLEX reviews.
IV Gauge Sizes and Colors Nursing Quiz
IV Gauges Colors and Sizes Quiz
1. A nurse is searching for an 18 gauge IV catheter in the supply room. What color is should the nurse select?
A. Orange
B. Gray
C. Green
D. Blue
The answer is C, green. Most manufacturers in the U.S. use green for an 18 gauge catheter. However, always verify sizes/colors at your facility.
2. Which needle gauge size has the biggest flow rate (and needle diameter)?
A. 14 gauge
B. 16 gauge
C. 18 gauge
D. 26 gauge
The answer is A, 14 gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the larger the diameter of the needle will be. The flow rate will also be higher for smaller gauge numbers. A 14 gauge typically has a flow rate of around 240 mL/min.
3. What IV gauge size is purple (or violet) and commonly used to access tiny veins in neonates?
A. 14 gauge
B. 18 gauge
C. 20 gauge
D. 26 gauge
The answer is D, 26 gauge, which is typically purple. The diameter of the needle of a 26 gauge is very small, so it is ideal for neonates or patients with extremely small/fragile veins.
4. A nurse finds a blue IV catheter in the supply room. What size gauge is it?
A. 20 gauge
B. 22 gauge
C. 24 gauge
D. 26 gauge
The answer is B, 22 gauge. Blue IV catheters are typically 22 gauge. However, always verify packaging and supplies at your facility.
5. What color are the 24 gauge IVs?
A. Green
B. Blue
C. Yellow
D. Pink
The answer is C, yellow. Most manufacturers use the yellow color for 24 gauge IVs. This size is typically used for patients with smaller or damaged veins.
6. A 20 gauge IV is usually which color?
A. Pink
B. Purple
C. Blue
D. Gray
The answer is A, pink. A pink IV gauge is usually a size 20 gauge, and they can deliver meds and fluids in most patients.
7. What color is a 14 gauge IV catheter?
A. Orange
B. Blue
C. Pink
D. Purple
The answer is A, orange. This is a very large size, is typically orange, and is great for rapid infusion of fluids, trauma, and more.
8. What is the common gauge of the gray IV catheters?
A. 18 gauge
B. 20 gauge
C. 14 gauge
D. 16 gauge
The answer is D, 16 gauge. This is the size of most gray catheters, but always verify color coding at your facility. These are commonly used for trauma, surgery, and more due to their relatively large diameter.
*Disclaimer: While we do our best to provide students with accurate and in-depth study quizzes, this quiz/test is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please refer to the latest NCLEX review books for the latest updates in nursing. This quiz is copyright RegisteredNurseRn.com. Please do not copy this quiz and place it on third-party websites or document sharing websites.