PICC Infection Prevention & Complication Management 5

Question 1

A PICC nurse is educating a patient on home PICC care. Which sign should the patient be instructed to report immediately to the healthcare provider?

Accepted Answer

Fever greater than 38°C (100.4°F) with chills and redness at the site

Answer

Fever with chills and site redness are signs of potential CLABSI or local infection, requiring immediate medical evaluation to prevent sepsis.

Question 2

Which PICC maintenance practice has been shown to reduce the risk of catheter occlusion AND infection simultaneously?

Accepted Answer

Scrubbing the needleless connector for ≥15 seconds with 70% alcohol before each access

Answer

Vigorous mechanical scrub of needleless connectors with 70% alcohol for ≥15 seconds (scrub-the-hub) prevents microbial contamination and reduces both CLABSI and occlusion risk.

Question 3

A patient on home TPN via PICC develops chills, fever, and rigors immediately after connecting a new bag of TPN. Which explanation is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Contaminated TPN solution or catheter hub contamination causing infusion-related bacteremia

Answer

Immediate chills and rigors upon connecting a new infusate suggest contaminated solution or hub contamination leading to infusion-related bacteremia, a CLABSI presentation.

Question 4

The PICC nurse notes that a patient's PICC was inserted 10 days ago and the current transparent dressing remains intact, dry, and adherent. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Change the dressing immediately because 7 days is the maximum interval

Answer

Standard TSM dressings should be changed every 7 days; a dressing at day 10 is overdue for a change regardless of appearance and must be changed promptly.

Question 5

Which factor differentiates mechanical phlebitis from bacterial phlebitis in a patient with a PICC?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical phlebitis usually occurs in the first 24–72 hours and resolves with warm compresses, while bacterial phlebitis tends to worsen despite conservative measures

Answer

Mechanical phlebitis typically appears early post-insertion and responds to conservative measures, whereas bacterial phlebitis progresses despite these interventions and requires antimicrobial treatment or line removal.

(PICC) Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Certified Nurse Practice Test

(PICC) Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Certified Nurse Practice Test

PICC Infection Prevention & Complication Management 5