VA-BC CERTIFICATION EXAM | VA-BC STUDY
GUIDE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE
What are the indications for placement of a PICC line? --CORRECT
ANSWER---Patients who require central venous access when the duration of
the infusions are unknown
-Infusion of irritating medications
-Infusion of vesicant agents
What are the contraindications of PICC line placement? --CORRECT
ANSWER---Placement into an arm with fracture, trauma, infection,
amputations, or compromised circulation
-Placement into an arm paralyzed as a result of a CVA may increase the risk of
catheter-related thrombosis due to compromised circulation 4
-Chronic kidney disease patients
What vessels are selected for PICC line placement? --CORRECT ANSWER--
Basilic, brachial or cephalic vein in the upper arm
Page 1 of 48
,What barrier precautions are required for PICC placement? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Maximum sterile
What areas of tip location should be avoided in PICC line placement? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Avoid catheter tip locations in the upper SVC or
midclavicular areas
What Alternative veins for PICC lines may be selected in pediatric pts.? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Scalp veins, popliteal veins
In pediatric patients, what, if added ,may decrease catheter occlusion? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Heparin (confirm infusatn compatibility)
What are the indications for tunneled catheters? --CORRECT ANSWER---
Infusions that are projected to continue for months or years
-Apheresis
What are the contraindications for tunneled catheter placement? --CORRECT
ANSWER---Presence of a bloodstream infection
-Severe coagulopathy
Page 2 of 48
,-Cellulitis (affecting intended insertion site)
which vessels are selected for tunneled catheters? --CORRECT ANSWER--a.
Subclavian veins
b. Jugular veins
c. Femoral veins
Where might tunneled catheter exits sites be located? --CORRECT ANSWER--
The chest, upper back, top of thigh, or lower torso
What attached to the catheter, will be positioned in the tissue track to secure the
catheter? --CORRECT ANSWER--A stabilizing Dacron cuff
After a tunneled catheter placement, how long until the exit site heals? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Two to three weeks.
When (upon physician approval) may a tunneled catheter be maintained without
a dressing? --CORRECT ANSWER--Once the cuff has developed tissue
attachment and the exit site is healed,
Page 3 of 48
, In pediatric pts. with tunneled catheters, why do we assess/verify internal
catheter tip location as the child grows? --CORRECT ANSWER--To maintain
internal tip in the SVC
What are the indications for an implanted port? --CORRECT ANSWER--
Infusions that are projected to continue for months to years
What are the contraindications for an implanted port? --CORRECT ANSWER--
-Severe coagulopathy
-Severe, uncontrolled sepsis
-Burns or cellulitis (affecting the intended insertion site)
-Patient who is cachectic, below ideal body weight, or lacking subcutaneous
tissue for port implantation
List indications for Vascular Access: --CORRECT ANSWER--1. Total
parenteral nutrition (TPN)
2. Partial parenteral nutrition
Page 4 of 48
GUIDE EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS LATEST UPDATE
What are the indications for placement of a PICC line? --CORRECT
ANSWER---Patients who require central venous access when the duration of
the infusions are unknown
-Infusion of irritating medications
-Infusion of vesicant agents
What are the contraindications of PICC line placement? --CORRECT
ANSWER---Placement into an arm with fracture, trauma, infection,
amputations, or compromised circulation
-Placement into an arm paralyzed as a result of a CVA may increase the risk of
catheter-related thrombosis due to compromised circulation 4
-Chronic kidney disease patients
What vessels are selected for PICC line placement? --CORRECT ANSWER--
Basilic, brachial or cephalic vein in the upper arm
Page 1 of 48
,What barrier precautions are required for PICC placement? --CORRECT
ANSWER--Maximum sterile
What areas of tip location should be avoided in PICC line placement? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Avoid catheter tip locations in the upper SVC or
midclavicular areas
What Alternative veins for PICC lines may be selected in pediatric pts.? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Scalp veins, popliteal veins
In pediatric patients, what, if added ,may decrease catheter occlusion? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Heparin (confirm infusatn compatibility)
What are the indications for tunneled catheters? --CORRECT ANSWER---
Infusions that are projected to continue for months or years
-Apheresis
What are the contraindications for tunneled catheter placement? --CORRECT
ANSWER---Presence of a bloodstream infection
-Severe coagulopathy
Page 2 of 48
,-Cellulitis (affecting intended insertion site)
which vessels are selected for tunneled catheters? --CORRECT ANSWER--a.
Subclavian veins
b. Jugular veins
c. Femoral veins
Where might tunneled catheter exits sites be located? --CORRECT ANSWER--
The chest, upper back, top of thigh, or lower torso
What attached to the catheter, will be positioned in the tissue track to secure the
catheter? --CORRECT ANSWER--A stabilizing Dacron cuff
After a tunneled catheter placement, how long until the exit site heals? --
CORRECT ANSWER--Two to three weeks.
When (upon physician approval) may a tunneled catheter be maintained without
a dressing? --CORRECT ANSWER--Once the cuff has developed tissue
attachment and the exit site is healed,
Page 3 of 48
, In pediatric pts. with tunneled catheters, why do we assess/verify internal
catheter tip location as the child grows? --CORRECT ANSWER--To maintain
internal tip in the SVC
What are the indications for an implanted port? --CORRECT ANSWER--
Infusions that are projected to continue for months to years
What are the contraindications for an implanted port? --CORRECT ANSWER--
-Severe coagulopathy
-Severe, uncontrolled sepsis
-Burns or cellulitis (affecting the intended insertion site)
-Patient who is cachectic, below ideal body weight, or lacking subcutaneous
tissue for port implantation
List indications for Vascular Access: --CORRECT ANSWER--1. Total
parenteral nutrition (TPN)
2. Partial parenteral nutrition
Page 4 of 48
