CRNI Peripheral Vascular Access and IV Site Management Flashcards
7 cards from real CRNI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 CRNI Peripheral Vascular Access and IV Site Management flashcards as text
A nurse inserts a peripheral IV catheter and notes blood return, but upon flushing encounters resistance followed by swelling at the site. What does this MOST likely indicate?
Answer: Infiltration with the catheter in the subcutaneous tissue
Swelling upon flushing despite initial blood return indicates infiltration, where the catheter tip has migrated out of the vein into surrounding subcutaneous tissue.
Which antiseptic agent and technique is recommended by INS standards for peripheral IV site preparation in adults?
Answer: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol, back-and-forth friction scrub, allowed to dry completely
INS standards recommend a >0.5% chlorhexidine with alcohol solution (typically 2% CHG in 70% IPA) applied with friction and allowed to dry completely before catheter insertion.
A patient with a peripheral IV on continuous infusion develops a fever. The IV site appears clean without erythema or tenderness. What is the CRNI's priority assessment?
Answer: Assess for systemic signs of infection and evaluate the catheter as a potential source
Fever in a patient with a peripheral IV requires a systematic assessment to evaluate whether the catheter is a potential source of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI).
When documenting a peripheral IV insertion per INS standards, which element is NOT required?
Answer: Patient's insurance information
IV documentation must include date/time, gauge and length, site location, number of attempts, patient tolerance, and nurse identifier — insurance information is not a clinical documentation requirement.
A patient states they are allergic to adhesive tape. What is the MOST appropriate securement method for a peripheral IV catheter?
Answer: Use a tissue-adherent catheter securement device or silicone-based tape alternative
Engineered catheter securement devices (ECSDs) with tissue-adherent or silicone-based mechanisms provide secure catheter stabilization for patients with adhesive allergies.
The nurse is caring for a patient whose peripheral IV catheter must be placed in the antecubital fossa due to poor vein access. Which intervention is MOST important to implement?
Answer: Apply an arm board to prevent flexion at the elbow
An arm board restricts elbow flexion that can occlude or dislodge a catheter placed in the antecubital fossa, reducing catheter failure from positional occlusion.
Which finding would MOST strongly indicate a catheter-associated thrombosis in a patient with a peripheral IV in the forearm?
Answer: A palpable cord along the vein pathway proximal to the insertion site
A palpable cord along the vein proximal to the catheter insertion site is a hallmark sign of superficial thrombophlebitis or catheter-associated thrombosis requiring catheter removal.