OCC Vascular Access & Infusion Techniques Flashcards

A patient's implanted port is not flushing easily and has resistance. The nurse suspects an occlusion. Which intervention should be attempted FIRST?

Answer: Reposition the patient (raise arm, cough, or change position) and reattempt

Positional occlusion caused by catheter kinking can be resolved by patient repositioning before escalating to pharmacologic interventions.

The nurse is educating a patient with a tunneled Hickman catheter about home care. Which instruction is MOST important?

Answer: Change the cap and flush the catheter per the prescribed protocol, and report fever above 100.4°F

Fever above 100.4°F in a patient with a tunneled catheter is a red flag for catheter-related bloodstream infection requiring immediate reporting.

Which factor MOST increases a patient's risk for chemotherapy extravasation injury?

Answer: Multiple prior IV attempts in the same vein and fragile veins

Fragile veins with multiple prior cannulation sites have compromised integrity, significantly increasing the risk of extravasation during chemotherapy infusion.

After extravasation of doxorubicin, what is the recommended topical treatment to minimize tissue damage?

Answer: Apply cold compress and administer dexrazoxane IV per protocol

Cold compresses limit drug spread, and dexrazoxane is the FDA-approved antidote for anthracycline extravasation that prevents progressive tissue necrosis.

How long should a nurse flush an implanted port access needle with normal saline to confirm patency BEFORE administering a vesicant chemotherapy agent?

Answer: At least 10 mL while assessing for any resistance, swelling, or patient discomfort

A minimum 10 mL saline flush administered slowly while assessing for resistance, swelling, and patient discomfort confirms port patency before vesicant administration.

A patient with a power-injectable PICC requires a CT scan with contrast. What is the nurse's responsibility before the procedure?

Answer: Confirm the PICC is rated for power injection and document the maximum pressure and flow rate

Power-injectable PICCs must be confirmed as rated for contrast injection, with maximum pressure and flow rate documented to prevent catheter rupture.