Central Lines Medical Quiz Questions And Answers

1. When you are inserting a central line, you should seek help after _____ failed attempts.

3

8

9

11

When inserting a central line, seeking help after three failed attempts is recommended. This is because multiple unsuccessful attempts can increase the risk of complications such as damage to blood vessels, nerves, or organs. Seeking help after three attempts ensures that a more experienced healthcare professional can step in to minimize the risk and successfully complete the procedure.

Explanation

When inserting a central line, seeking help after three failed attempts is recommended. This is because multiple unsuccessful attempts can increase the risk of complications such as damage to blood vessels, nerves, or organs. Seeking help after three attempts ensures that a more experienced healthcare professional can step in to minimize the risk and successfully complete the procedure.

2. The nurse is assessing the insertion site on a central line. This finding would need to be further invested.

A Biopatch and transparent dressing

A small amount of dried blood

Both A & B

Erythema and tenderness

The nurse is assessing the insertion site on a central line and finds erythema and tenderness. This finding would need to be further investigated as it could indicate an infection or inflammation at the site. Erythema refers to redness of the skin, which can be a sign of inflammation, while tenderness suggests sensitivity or pain in the area. These symptoms could be indicative of an underlying problem that requires attention and appropriate treatment.

Explanation

The nurse is assessing the insertion site on a central line and finds erythema and tenderness. This finding would need to be further investigated as it could indicate an infection or inflammation at the site. Erythema refers to redness of the skin, which can be a sign of inflammation, while tenderness suggests sensitivity or pain in the area. These symptoms could be indicative of an underlying problem that requires attention and appropriate treatment.

3. ________ is not a complication of CVC insertion.

Pneumothorax

Hemothorax

Both A & B

Aspiration pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia is not a complication of CVC insertion. Complications of CVC insertion typically include pneumothorax and hemothorax, which are both mentioned as options A and B in the question. However, aspiration pneumonia is not directly related to the insertion of a CVC.

Explanation

Aspiration pneumonia is not a complication of CVC insertion. Complications of CVC insertion typically include pneumothorax and hemothorax, which are both mentioned as options A and B in the question. However, aspiration pneumonia is not directly related to the insertion of a CVC.

4. The dressing is changed on a central line at the time it is loose or saturated. If the dressing stays clean, dry, and intact, then the policy tells to change the dressing every

3 days

5 days

7 days

9 days

According to the policy, the dressing on a central line should be changed every 7 days if it remains clean, dry, and intact. This time frame allows for proper monitoring and assessment of the dressing's condition, ensuring that it is still effective in protecting the central line. Changing the dressing too frequently may increase the risk of infection, while leaving it for longer periods could compromise its functionality. Therefore, 7 days is deemed an appropriate interval for dressing changes as long as it meets the specified criteria.

Explanation

According to the policy, the dressing on a central line should be changed every 7 days if it remains clean, dry, and intact. This time frame allows for proper monitoring and assessment of the dressing's condition, ensuring that it is still effective in protecting the central line. Changing the dressing too frequently may increase the risk of infection, while leaving it for longer periods could compromise its functionality. Therefore, 7 days is deemed an appropriate interval for dressing changes as long as it meets the specified criteria.

5. Of the following, which line would be considered a central line?

An 18 gauge in the patient’s external jugular vein

A PICC line in the patient’s right upper arm

A midline IV in the patient’s left upper arm

A 16 gauge in the patient’s brachial vein

A PICC line, or Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter, is considered a central line because it is inserted in a peripheral vein (such as the arm) but terminates in a central vein near the heart. This allows for the administration of medications or fluids directly into the central circulation. In comparison, the other options mentioned are all peripheral lines as they are inserted in veins that are not near the heart.

Explanation

A PICC line, or Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter, is considered a central line because it is inserted in a peripheral vein (such as the arm) but terminates in a central vein near the heart. This allows for the administration of medications or fluids directly into the central circulation. In comparison, the other options mentioned are all peripheral lines as they are inserted in veins that are not near the heart.

6. Which patient would need a central line installed for their treatment?

A patient with hemodialysis every Monday

A patient with a heparin drip

A patient with a bolus of NS to increase the blood pressure

A patient receiving six weeks of antibiotic therapy for osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a serious infection of the bone that often requires long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy.

Central lines are typically used for administering long-term intravenous treatments, including antibiotics, as they provide reliable access to large veins and allow for the administration of medications or fluids over an extended period.

While the other options may require intravenous access, they can often be managed with peripheral intravenous lines, whereas prolonged antibiotic therapy for conditions like osteomyelitis often necessitates the use of central lines for safer and more effective administration.

Explanation

Osteomyelitis is a serious infection of the bone that often requires long-term intravenous antibiotic therapy.

Central lines are typically used for administering long-term intravenous treatments, including antibiotics, as they provide reliable access to large veins and allow for the administration of medications or fluids over an extended period.

While the other options may require intravenous access, they can often be managed with peripheral intravenous lines, whereas prolonged antibiotic therapy for conditions like osteomyelitis often necessitates the use of central lines for safer and more effective administration.

7. If a port on the central line is out of use, how often should it be flushed?

Every 12 hours

Every 24 hours

Every 48 hours

Every 72 hours

When a port on the central line is out of use, it should be flushed every 24 hours. Flushing the port helps to prevent blood clots and maintain the patency of the line. Flushing every 24 hours ensures that the port remains clean and functional, reducing the risk of infection and other complications.

Explanation

When a port on the central line is out of use, it should be flushed every 24 hours. Flushing the port helps to prevent blood clots and maintain the patency of the line. Flushing every 24 hours ensures that the port remains clean and functional, reducing the risk of infection and other complications.

8. The rate of complications decreases by 50 percent after you have placed ______ CVCs.

10

50

100

500

The rate of complications decreases by 50 percent after you have placed 50 CVCs. This means that as you gain more experience and place more CVCs, the likelihood of complications occurring decreases by half. This could be due to improved technique, increased familiarity with the procedure, and better understanding of potential risks and how to mitigate them.

Explanation

The rate of complications decreases by 50 percent after you have placed 50 CVCs. This means that as you gain more experience and place more CVCs, the likelihood of complications occurring decreases by half. This could be due to improved technique, increased familiarity with the procedure, and better understanding of potential risks and how to mitigate them.

9. Mean additional hospitalization days for CVC-related bloodstream infection?

Between 1 to 2 days

Between 3 to 5 days

Between 5 to 10 days

Between 10 to 20 days

The correct answer is "Between 5 to 10 days". This means that on average, patients with CVC-related bloodstream infections can expect to spend between 5 to 10 additional days in the hospital compared to patients without such infections. This suggests that CVC-related bloodstream infections can lead to significant complications and prolonged hospital stays.

Explanation

The correct answer is "Between 5 to 10 days". This means that on average, patients with CVC-related bloodstream infections can expect to spend between 5 to 10 additional days in the hospital compared to patients without such infections. This suggests that CVC-related bloodstream infections can lead to significant complications and prolonged hospital stays.

10. In patients with central lines, how often do CVC-related bloodstream infections show?

Between 1/100 and 2/100

Between 1/4 and 2/4

Between 1/10 and 2/10

Between 1/1000 and 2/1000

CVC-related bloodstream infections occur between 1/100 and 2/100 times in patients with central lines. This means that for every 100 patients with central lines, there will be between 1 and 2 cases of bloodstream infections related to the central line. This indicates that CVC-related bloodstream infections are relatively rare, affecting only a small percentage of patients with central lines.

Explanation

CVC-related bloodstream infections occur between 1/100 and 2/100 times in patients with central lines. This means that for every 100 patients with central lines, there will be between 1 and 2 cases of bloodstream infections related to the central line. This indicates that CVC-related bloodstream infections are relatively rare, affecting only a small percentage of patients with central lines.