Maintenance and Care Flashcards
7 cards from real VA-BC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Maintenance and Care flashcards as text
When assessing a central venous catheter (CVC) dressing, which finding requires immediate intervention?
Answer: Visible moisture or drainage under a transparent semipermeable membrane dressing
Moisture or drainage under a TSM dressing compromises the sterile barrier and requires immediate dressing change to prevent infection.
What is the recommended technique for flushing a peripheral IV catheter to maintain patency?
Answer: Pulsatile push-pause technique with normal saline
The pulsatile push-pause technique creates turbulence that removes fibrin and debris from the catheter lumen, maintaining patency.
A patient's PICC line has a positive blood culture for Candida albicans. What is the most appropriate next step?
Answer: Remove the PICC line immediately and obtain peripheral cultures
Fungal catheter-related bloodstream infections require prompt catheter removal, as salvage is rarely successful and carries high morbidity.
Which action best prevents air embolism during PICC dressing changes?
Answer: Having the patient perform the Valsalva maneuver or placing them in Trendelenburg position
Valsalva maneuver or Trendelenburg positioning increases intrathoracic pressure, reducing the risk of air entering the catheter during dressing changes.
How often should needleless connector caps on a central venous catheter be changed according to INS standards?
Answer: No more frequently than every 96 hours and with each new IV tubing set change
INS standards recommend changing needleless connectors no more frequently than every 96 hours and in conjunction with IV administration set changes.
What is the primary purpose of using a 10 mL or larger syringe when flushing a PICC line?
Answer: To limit the pressure generated and prevent catheter damage
Smaller syringes generate higher pressure per unit of force applied; a 10 mL syringe keeps pressure within safe limits to avoid catheter rupture.
A nurse notes that blood cannot be aspirated from a PICC but the line flushes without resistance. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Fibrin sheath or fibrin tail at the catheter tip
A fibrin sheath acts as a one-way valve, allowing fluid to infuse but preventing blood aspiration.