Practice Test Geeks(VABC) Vascular Access Board Certification Practice Test
← All VABC Flashcard Decks

Complication Management Flashcards

7 cards from real VABC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Complication Management flashcards as text

  1. A patient develops pinch-off syndrome with a PICC line. Which finding on chest X-ray is most indicative of this complication?

    Answer: Compression of the catheter between the clavicle and first rib

    Pinch-off syndrome occurs when the catheter is compressed between the clavicle and first rib, visible on X-ray as a narrowing or angle change in that region.

  2. Which intervention is first-line for managing a mild air embolism during central venous catheter insertion?

    Answer: Place patient in left lateral Trendelenburg position and administer 100% oxygen

    Left lateral Trendelenburg (Durant's maneuver) traps air in the right ventricle apex and 100% oxygen accelerates nitrogen reabsorption.

  3. A patient with a tunneled CVC develops a tunnel infection with purulent drainage but no bacteremia. What is the most appropriate management?

    Answer: Catheter removal plus systemic antibiotics

    Tunnel infections with purulence require catheter removal along with systemic antibiotics because the infection cannot be cleared with the device in place.

  4. During a PICC insertion attempt, blood return is lost and the patient reports pain along the arm. What complication is most likely?

    Answer: Extravasation of flush solution

    Loss of blood return with arm pain during PICC insertion is classic for extravasation, where the catheter tip or an introducer breach has allowed fluid to leak into surrounding tissue.

  5. A hemodialysis patient's AV fistula has a bruit that has changed from soft and continuous to harsh and discontinuous. What does this indicate?

    Answer: High-grade stenosis causing turbulent flow

    A harsh, high-pitched, discontinuous bruit replacing a previously soft continuous bruit indicates significant stenosis causing turbulent, interrupted blood flow.

  6. Which organism is most commonly associated with CRBSI in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)?

    Answer: Candida species

    Candida species are the most common CRBSI pathogen in TPN patients because the high-glucose lipid-rich solution is an ideal fungal growth medium.

  7. A patient with a port-a-cath cannot have blood aspirated despite brisk flush flow. What is the most likely cause?

    Answer: Fibrin tail (one-way valve effect) at the catheter tip

    A fibrin tail acting as a one-way valve permits forward flush flow but occludes the catheter tip during aspiration, causing withdrawal occlusion.