IV Venous Access Devices 2

Question 1

A patient has a PICC line in the left basilic vein. Before administering a vesicant, you flush with 10 mL normal saline and note resistance. What is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Attempt to aspirate blood return before proceeding

Answer

Confirming blood return before vesicant administration is essential; resistance without blood return suggests catheter occlusion or malposition.

Question 2

Which type of implanted port needle (Huber needle) design is used for continuous infusion to reduce coring of the septum?

Accepted Answer

Angled non-coring needle

Answer

Angled (90-degree) non-coring Huber needles are used for continuous infusions while straight non-coring needles are used for bolus injections.

Question 3

A tunneled cuffed catheter (Hickman) is preferred over a PICC for which clinical situation?

Accepted Answer

Long-term total parenteral nutrition over several months

Answer

Tunneled cuffed catheters are designed for long-term venous access (months to years), making them ideal for extended TPN or chemotherapy.

Question 4

When assessing a peripheral IV site, you observe swelling, pallor, and coolness around the insertion site during an infusion. These findings are MOST consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Infiltration

Answer

Swelling, pallor, and coolness at the IV site indicate infiltration, where fluid has leaked into surrounding tissue.

Question 5

Which gauge peripheral IV catheter is MOST appropriate for a patient requiring rapid blood transfusion?

Accepted Answer

18-gauge

Answer

An 18-gauge catheter allows adequate flow rates for blood transfusion; smaller gauges increase resistance and may cause hemolysis.

(IV) Intravenous Therapy Certified Practice Test

(IV) Intravenous Therapy Certified Practice Test

IV Venous Access Devices 2