VABC Catheter Types 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which catheter type is specifically designed for long-term apheresis or hemodialysis with high flow rates?
- Groshong catheter
- Tesio catheter (Correct answer)
- Broviac catheter
- Umbilical venous catheter
Correct answer: Tesio catheter
Tesio catheters are twin single-lumen tunneled catheters designed to provide high flow rates required for hemodialysis and apheresis.
Question 2: A midline catheter is typically inserted into which vein?
- Subclavian vein
- Internal jugular vein
- Basilic or cephalic vein (Correct answer)
- Femoral vein
Correct answer: Basilic or cephalic vein
Midline catheters are inserted into the basilic or cephalic veins of the upper arm with the tip terminating below the axilla.
Question 3: What distinguishes a valved PICC (such as a Groshong PICC) from a non-valved PICC?
- It requires a larger gauge needle for insertion
- It has a three-position valve that reduces blood reflux and air entry (Correct answer)
- It can only be used for single infusions
- It must be flushed with heparin after each use
Correct answer: It has a three-position valve that reduces blood reflux and air entry
Groshong-type valved PICCs have a slit valve at the tip that opens for infusion or aspiration and closes at rest, reducing blood reflux and potentially eliminating routine heparin flushes.
Question 4: Which catheter is most appropriate for a patient requiring short-term central venous access in the ICU with no tunneling needed?
- Tunneled CVC
- PICC line
- Non-tunneled CVC (Correct answer)
- Port-a-Cath
Correct answer: Non-tunneled CVC
Non-tunneled CVCs are placed directly through the skin into a central vein and are ideal for short-term ICU access where immediate insertion is required.
Question 5: The Broviac catheter differs from the Hickman catheter primarily in which way?
- Broviac has a larger internal diameter
- Broviac has a smaller internal diameter and is used in pediatric patients (Correct answer)
- Broviac is non-tunneled
- Broviac lacks a Dacron cuff
Correct answer: Broviac has a smaller internal diameter and is used in pediatric patients
Broviac catheters have a smaller internal lumen diameter compared to Hickman catheters and are primarily designed for pediatric use.
Question 6: A patient with bilateral upper extremity DVT needs reliable IV access for 6 months of chemotherapy. Which device is most appropriate?
- Bilateral PICCs
- Femoral CVC
- Implanted port via femoral approach (Correct answer)
- Standard peripheral IV
Correct answer: Implanted port via femoral approach
An implanted port placed via the femoral vein provides long-term reliable access when upper extremity options are excluded due to bilateral DVT.
Question 7: Which feature of a triple-lumen CVC allows simultaneous infusion of incompatible medications?
- Larger gauge than single-lumen CVCs
- Separate lumens with staggered exit ports (Correct answer)
- Antimicrobial coating on the outer surface
- Pressure-sensitive tip valve
Correct answer: Separate lumens with staggered exit ports
Triple-lumen CVCs have separate lumens with staggered exit ports along the catheter, allowing incompatible medications to mix only in the high-flow bloodstream.
VABC Catheter Types 2
Which catheter type is specifically designed for long-term apheresis or hemodialysis with high flow rates?