ATI Exit Exam RN Related

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How should a healthcare professional monitor for infection in a patient with a central line?

  • A. Check the central line dressing daily
  • B. Monitor for signs of redness
  • C. Check for abnormal breath sounds
  • D. Monitor temperature
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Correct answer: A. Checking the central line dressing daily is crucial to monitor for signs of infection around the insertion site. This practice helps in early detection of any changes such as redness, swelling, or discharge, which are indicators of a potential infection. Monitoring for signs of redness (choice B) is limited as redness alone may not always indicate an infection; other symptoms like discharge and tenderness should also be observed. Checking for abnormal breath sounds (choice C) is not directly related to monitoring central line infections. Monitoring temperature (choice D) is important for detecting systemic signs of infection but may not specifically indicate an infection related to the central line site.