Which statement about rapid IV fluid administration is true?

Which statement about rapid IV fluid administration is true?

• A. Smaller bore provides faster flow
• B. Large bore is preferred for rapid fluid resuscitation in shock
• C. Gauge size does not affect administration rate
• D. All gauges deliver fluids at the same rate

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that flow rate through an IV line depends largely on the catheter’s diameter: a larger bore means less resistance and a faster infusion. In shock, delivering fluids quickly is crucial to restore circulating volume, so a large-bore IV catheter (smaller gauge, like 14–16) is preferred. A smaller bore increases resistance and slows the rate, so the statement that a smaller bore provides faster flow isn’t correct. Gauge size does affect administration rate, so it isn’t true that all gauges deliver fluids at the same rate. Because of these points, the correct statement is that a large bore is preferred for rapid fluid resuscitation in shock.

The key idea is that flow rate through an IV line depends largely on the catheter’s diameter: a larger bore means less resistance and a faster infusion. In shock, delivering fluids quickly is crucial to restore circulating volume, so a large-bore IV catheter (smaller gauge, like 14–16) is preferred. A smaller bore increases resistance and slows the rate, so the statement that a smaller bore provides faster flow isn’t correct. Gauge size does affect administration rate, so it isn’t true that all gauges deliver fluids at the same rate. Because of these points, the correct statement is that a large bore is preferred for rapid fluid resuscitation in shock.