Line Insertion & Maintenance Flashcards
7 cards from real PICC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Line Insertion & Maintenance flashcards as text
Which antiseptic agent is the PREFERRED skin preparation for PICC insertion in patients over 2 months of age?
Answer: >0.5% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol
Chlorhexidine-alcohol solution provides superior residual antimicrobial activity compared to povidone-iodine and alcohol alone, per CDC and INS guidelines.
When should a transparent semipermeable membrane (TSM) dressing on a PICC be changed?
Answer: Every 5–7 days or sooner if integrity is compromised
TSM dressings are changed every 5–7 days per INS standards, but must be changed immediately if wet, soiled, or lifting.
The purpose of using a vein finder or near-infrared device prior to PICC insertion is to:
Answer: Identify superficial vein anatomy before ultrasound assessment
Near-infrared devices visualize superficial veins for preliminary assessment but do not replace ultrasound for real-time needle guidance during insertion.
Which complication is MOST directly associated with failure to maintain a bloodless field during PICC insertion?
Answer: Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI)
Blood contamination at the insertion site introduces skin flora into the catheter tract, significantly increasing CRBSI risk.
A PICC nurse is about to insert a line when the patient reports a latex allergy. The nurse should:
Answer: Use latex-free gloves and latex-free insertion supplies
All supplies including gloves, tourniquet, and dressing components must be latex-free to prevent anaphylaxis in latex-allergic patients.
Intravascular catheter-related thrombosis associated with a PICC is most commonly located in the:
Answer: Upper extremity vein (basilic, brachial, or axillary vein)
PICC-associated deep vein thrombosis most frequently affects the ipsilateral upper extremity veins through which the catheter passes.
Which patient position is recommended during PICC removal to reduce air embolism risk?
Answer: Trendelenburg or supine with Valsalva maneuver
Supine or Trendelenburg positioning with Valsalva increases intrathoracic pressure, reducing the pressure gradient that could draw air into the vein during catheter removal.