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A nurse teaches a client who is being discharged home with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). Which statement should the nurse include in this client's teaching?
- A. Avoid carrying your grandchild with the arm that has the central catheter.
- B. Be sure to place the arm with the central catheter in a sling during the day.
- C. Flush the peripherally inserted central catheter line with normal saline daily.
- D. You can use the arm with the central catheter for most activities of daily living.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A properly placed PICC allows considerable freedom of movement, but heavy lifting, such as carrying a grandchild, can dislodge the catheter or occlude the lumen. A sling is not necessary, and flushing is typically done with heparin, not normal saline.
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A nurse assesses a client's peripheral IV site, and notices edema and tenderness above the site. Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Apply cold compresses to the IV site.
- B. Elevate the extremity on a pillow.
- C. Flush the catheter with normal saline.
- D. Stop the infusion of intravenous fluids.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Edema and tenderness suggest infiltration or phlebitis, requiring immediate cessation of the infusion to prevent further tissue damage. Flushing could worsen the issue, and cold compresses or elevation are secondary actions.
A nurse is assessing clients who have intravenous therapy prescribed. Which assessment finding for a client with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) requires immediate attention?
- A. The initial site dressing is 4 days old.
- B. The PICC was inserted 4 weeks ago.
- C. A securement device is absent.
- D. Upper extremity swelling is noted.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Upper extremity swelling could indicate infiltration or thrombosis, requiring immediate removal of the PICC to prevent further complications. The other findings are concerning but not as urgent.
A nurse assists with the insertion of a central vascular access device. Which actions should the nurse ensure are completed to prevent a catheter-related bloodstream infection? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Include a review for the need of the device each day in the client's plan of care.
- B. Remind the provider to perform hand hygiene prior to starting the procedure.
- C. Cleanse the preferred site with alcohol and let it dry completely before insertion.
- D. Ask everyone in the room to wear a surgical mask during the procedure.
- E. Plan to complete a sterile dressing change on the device every day.
Correct Answer: A,B,D
Rationale: To prevent infections, daily review of device necessity, hand hygiene, and surgical masks during insertion are critical. Alcohol cleansing must include chlorhexidine for effectiveness, and daily dressing changes are not standard.
A nurse is caring for a client with a peripheral vascular access device who is experiencing pain, redness, and swelling at the site. After removing the device, which action should the nurse take to relieve pain?
- A. Administer topical lidocaine to the site.
- B. Place warm compresses on the site.
- C. Administer prescribed oral pain medication.
- D. Massage the site with scented oils.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Warm compresses help relieve pain from phlebitis after catheter removal. Lidocaine, oral medication, and massage are not standard treatments for this condition.
A nurse assesses a client who has a radial artery catheter. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?
- A. Amount of pressure in fluid container
- B. Date of catheter tubing change
- C. Percent of heparin in infusion container
- D. Presence of an ulnar pulse
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An intra-arterial catheter may cause arterial occlusion, which can lead to absent or decreased perfusion to the extremity. Assessment of an ulnar pulse is one way to assess circulation to the arm in which the catheter is located. The other assessments are relevant but secondary to ensuring circulation.