PICC Pharmacology & Medication Administration Flashcards
6 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 6 PICC Pharmacology & Medication Administration flashcards as text
Which pH range of medications is considered vesicant and requires central venous access such as a PICC for safe administration?
Answer: pH less than 5 or greater than 9
Solutions with a pH less than 5 or greater than 9 are vesicants that can cause severe tissue damage and require central venous access like a PICC for safe delivery.
A patient is receiving vancomycin through a PICC line. Which laboratory value must be monitored to ensure therapeutic dosing and prevent toxicity?
Answer: Serum creatinine and vancomycin trough levels
Vancomycin is nephrotoxic and ototoxic, so serum creatinine and trough levels must be monitored to ensure therapeutic dosing and prevent toxicity.
Which medication classification is considered an absolute indication for central venous access due to peripheral vein toxicity?
Answer: Vesicant chemotherapy agents such as doxorubicin
Vesicant chemotherapy agents like doxorubicin cause severe tissue necrosis on extravasation and must be administered through confirmed central venous access such as a PICC.
A PICC nurse is preparing to administer total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which PICC lumen is the preferred choice for TPN infusion?
Answer: A dedicated lumen used exclusively for TPN
TPN should be administered through a dedicated lumen to prevent incompatibility reactions and reduce infection risk from co-infusion with other medications.
Which two medications are commonly used together via PICC in outpatient settings and require close monitoring for potential incompatibility?
Answer: Ampicillin and gentamicin
Ampicillin and gentamicin are physically and chemically incompatible; they must not be mixed or infused simultaneously through the same PICC lumen.
Before administering phenytoin via a PICC line, the nurse should ensure the catheter is flushed with which solution to prevent precipitation?
Answer: Normal saline (0.9% NaCl)
Phenytoin precipitates in dextrose solutions; the PICC must be flushed with normal saline before and after administration to prevent catheter occlusion.