A nurse is counseling a group of clients from a town that was affected by a hurricane 6 months ago. For which of the following clients should the nurse initiate a referral to assess for the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Catheter placement for a nontunneled central venous access device is typically confirmed by X-ray, not a CT scan, to verify tip placement in the superior vena cava. CT scans are less common due to higher radiation and cost, making this statement inaccurate for standard practice.
Choice B reason: Elevating the head as high as possible during insertion is incorrect, as the Trendelenburg position (head down) is often used to distend veins and reduce air embolism risk. High head elevation could complicate insertion and increase complications, making this instruction inappropriate.
Choice C reason: Flushing the catheter with saline daily maintains patency, preventing clots and ensuring functionality of the nontunneled central venous access device. This is a standard care instruction, reducing infection and occlusion risks, and aligns with evidence-based protocols for central line maintenance, making it correct.
Choice D reason: Lying flat for 24 hours post-procedure is not required for nontunneled central venous catheters. Patients may need brief bed rest (e.g., 30 minutes) to prevent bleeding, but 24 hours is excessive and not evidence-based, making this instruction incorrect and overly restrictive.

Choice A reason: Using gauze to cover an infant’s IV site obscures visualization, delaying detection of infiltration or infection. Transparent dressings are preferred, as infants’ small veins are prone to complications. Gauze increases risk by hiding signs like swelling, critical for early intervention in pediatric IV management.
Choice B reason: Monitoring an IV site every 8 hours is inadequate for infants, who need hourly checks due to small vein fragility and high infiltration risk. Frequent assessment detects complications like phlebitis or extravasation early, ensuring vascular integrity and preventing tissue damage in pediatric patients.
Choice C reason: Inserting an IV in the foot is less preferred, as scalp or hand veins are more accessible and stable in infants. Foot IVs risk dislodgement from movement and may impair circulation, increasing complications like tissue damage, making this a suboptimal choice for IV placement.
Choice D reason: A 24-gauge catheter is ideal for infants, as their small veins require smaller needles to minimize trauma and infiltration. This size ensures adequate fluid or medication delivery while reducing vascular damage, aligning with pediatric IV guidelines for safe and effective venous access.