VABC Ultrasound Guidance 4

Question 1

Which finding on venous ultrasound assessment is most consistent with deep vein thrombosis at a previous access site?

Accepted Answer

Non-compressibility of the vessel with probe pressure

Answer

Non-compressibility of the vein when direct probe pressure is applied is the most reliable ultrasound sign of DVT.

Question 2

During real-time ultrasound-guided cannulation, the needle tip is most easily lost when using which approach?

Accepted Answer

Short-axis (out-of-plane) approach

Answer

In the short-axis approach, the needle is seen as a dot and can be confused with the needle shaft, making true tip tracking difficult.

Question 3

What is the primary advantage of the 'dynamic needle tip positioning' (DNTP) technique in ultrasound-guided access?

Accepted Answer

It keeps the needle tip continuously in the ultrasound plane during advancement

Answer

DNTP involves moving the probe to follow the needle tip, maintaining continuous real-time tip visualization throughout the insertion path.

Question 4

When scanning for a suitable peripheral vein using ultrasound, which minimum vessel diameter is generally recommended for successful catheterization?

Accepted Answer

3 mm

Answer

A vessel diameter of at least 3 mm is generally considered the minimum for reliable peripheral IV catheter placement under ultrasound guidance.

Question 5

The 'tenting' sign seen on ultrasound during needle advancement refers to:

Accepted Answer

The vessel wall moving away as the needle approaches without penetration

Answer

Tenting occurs when the needle pushes the near vessel wall inward without penetrating it, indicating the needle has not yet entered the lumen.

(VABC) Vascular Access Board Certification Practice Test