ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

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The higher gauge number of an intravenous (IV) needle indicates:

the larger is its diameter
the greater is its length
the smaller is its diameter
the shorter its length

The correct answer is: the smaller is its diameter

The higher gauge number of an intravenous (IV) needle signifies that its diameter is smaller. In the gauge system, as the number increases, the size of the needle decreases, meaning a higher gauge indicates a thinner needle. This is critical in medical practice, particularly when considering the type of procedure, flow rate of fluids, and the specific needs of the patient. For instance, a higher gauge needle may be used for certain types of medications that require slower infusion rates or for patients with smaller veins. Understanding this is essential for healthcare professionals to select the appropriate needle size for both safety and efficacy in treatment. The relationship between gauge size and diameter is standardized, meaning that once someone understands that an increase in gauge correlates with a decrease in diameter, they can effectively make informed decisions regarding IV access.