CRNI CRNI Central Venous Access Devices Practice Test 5

Question 1

A nurse attempts to flush a PICC line and encounters resistance. The patient reports no pain. Which action should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

Reposition the patient's arm and attempt to flush again

Answer

Repositioning the patient's arm (extending, raising, or changing position) can relieve a positional occlusion in a PICC before escalating to imaging or thrombolytic therapy.

Question 2

When using the push-pause (turbulent) flushing technique, what is the primary goal?

Accepted Answer

Create turbulence to remove fibrin and drug residue from catheter walls

Answer

Push-pause flushing creates turbulent flow within the catheter lumen, which helps dislodge fibrin deposits and medication residue that could cause occlusion.

Question 3

A patient with a subcutaneous port reports difficulty accessing the port and the nurse cannot palpate it. Which complication is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Port rotation or flipping

Answer

Port rotation or flipping (the port has turned over within the pocket) makes palpation difficult and prevents needle access through the septum.

Question 4

Which central venous access device is MOST appropriate for a patient requiring 6 months of intermittent IV antibiotic therapy at home?

Accepted Answer

PICC line

Answer

A PICC line is appropriate for prolonged intermittent therapy (weeks to months) at home because it can remain in place up to 12 months and is manageable by the patient or caregiver.

Question 5

A nurse observes that a patient's central line dressing was last changed 8 days ago. The dressing is still intact and dry. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Change the dressing immediately, as it is overdue per INS guidelines

Answer

INS guidelines recommend changing transparent semipermeable membrane dressings every 5–7 days and gauze dressings every 2 days; an 8-day-old dressing is overdue regardless of appearance.

CRNI Exam Practice Test

CRNI Exam Practice Test

CRNI CRNI Central Venous Access Devices Practice Test 5