Central Line Quiz: Can You Manage It Safely?

1. Which assessment is essential before radial arterial line insertion?

Doppler ultrasound

Allen test

ECG

Chest X-ray

2. Immediately after central line insertion, the priority nursing action is to:

Apply a sterile dressing

Obtain a chest X-ray to verify placement

Flush all lumens

Draw blood cultures

3. A tunneled central line reduces infection risk because:

The tunnel acts as a barrier to bacteria

It eliminates the need for dressing changes

It prevents all types of infections

No special care is required

4. What is the recommended frequency for arterial line transducer zeroing?

Every shift

At the level of the phlebostatic axis, each shift and PRN

Once daily

Only after patient movement

5. The femoral artery approach for arterial lines carries increased risk of:

Subclavian thrombosis

Brachial plexus injury

Limb ischemia and thrombosis

Pneumothorax

6. Damped arterial waveform typically indicates:

Normal arterial pressure

Air bubble or clot in the line

Hypertension

Hypotension

7. Which type of central line is best for long-term chemotherapy?

Non-tunneled central venous catheter

Tunneled catheter (Hickman or Groshong)

PICC line

Peripheral IV

8. A central line with suspected infection should be managed by:

Applying antibiotic ointment

Changing the dressing

Removing the line and obtaining cultures

Flushing with normal saline

9. Which organism is most commonly associated with central line infections?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Staphylococcus epidermidis

Escherichia coli

Streptococcus pyogenes

10. What is the correct ratio of 1:1 heparin flush solution for arterial lines?

100 units/mL

500 units/mL

1000 units/mL

2000 units/mL

11. Which vessel is most commonly used for central line insertion via the subclavian approach?

Internal jugular vein

Subclavian vein

Femoral vein

Basilic vein

12. Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) risk increases significantly after how many days?

2 days

5 days

10 days

21 days

13. What is the maximum recommended dwell time for a non-tunneled central venous catheter?

3 days

7 days

14 days

30 days

14. Which finding on chest X-ray indicates improper central line placement?

Tip in the right atrium

Tip coiled in the right ventricle

Tip at the cavoatrial junction

Tip in the superior vena cava

15. The radial artery is the preferred site for arterial line insertion because it:

Has no collateral circulation

Has good collateral circulation and is easily accessible

Is the largest artery in the arm

Requires no Allen test prior to insertion

16. What is the primary indicator for arterial line placement?

Routine IV access

Continuous blood pressure monitoring and blood sampling

Emergency fluid administration

Long-term antibiotic therapy

17. How often should central line dressings be changed under standard protocols?

Daily

Every 3 days

Every 7 days

Only if soiled or loose

18. Which complication is most associated with subclavian central line insertion?

Infection

Pneumothorax

Thrombosis

Arrhythmias

19. A central line tip should be positioned at which anatomical location?

Right atrium

Superior vena cava at the cavoatrial junction

Pulmonary artery

Right ventricle

20. What is the primary advantage of a PICC line over a peripheral IV?

Lower infection risk

Longer dwell time and central venous access

Easier insertion procedure

No need for sterile technique