The nurse is monitoring a patient who has a central venous catheter in place for signs of complications. Which of the following are potential complications of central venous catheters? (Select all that apply.)
Pneumothorax.
Air embolism.
Catheter-related bloodstream infection.
Catheter occlusion.
Hematoma formation.
Correct Answer : A,B,C,D
Choice A reason: Pneumothorax: This is a condition where air accumulates in the pleural space, causing the lung to collapse. It can occur during insertion of a central venous catheter if the needle or catheter punctures the lung or the pleura.
Choice B reason:. Air embolism. This is a condition where air bubbles enter the bloodstream and obstruct blood flow. It can occur during insertion, removal or maintenance of a central venous catheter if air enters the catheter or the vein.
Choice C reason:. Catheter-related bloodstream infection. This is an infection that occurs when microorganisms colonize the catheter or the insertion site and enter the bloodstream. It can cause fever, chills, sepsis and other serious complications. It can be prevented by using strict aseptic technique and following infection control guidelines.
Choice D reason:. Catheter occlusion. This is a condition where the catheter lumen becomes blocked by blood clots, fibrin sheaths, precipitates or kinks. It can impair the infusion or withdrawal of fluids and medications. It can be prevented by flushing the catheter regularly with saline or heparin solutions.
Choice E reason: Hematoma formation. This is a condition where blood accumulates under the skin or in the tissues around the insertion site. It can occur due to bleeding from the punctured vein or artery, or from trauma to the site. It can cause pain, swelling, bruising and infection.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A: Hypercalcemia. This is a condition of having too much calcium in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and irregular heartbeat. However, it does not typically cause paresthesias (tingling or numbness), diarrhea, or crackles in the lungs.
Choice B:
Hypokalemia. This is a condition of having too low potassium in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, paresthesias, irregular heartbeat, shallow respirations, and increased risk of digoxin toxicity (a medication used to treat heart failure) It can also cause vomiting and diarrhea, which can worsen the potassium loss. This choice matches the symptoms of the patient.
Choice C:
Hypermagnesemia. This is a condition of having too much magnesium in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, bradycardia (slow heart rate), and respiratory depression. However, it does not usually cause paresthesias, diarrhea, or crackles in the lungs.
Choice D:
Hypophosphatemia. This is a condition of having too low phosphate in the blood. It can cause muscle weakness, bone pain, rickets (softening of bones), and impaired cellular function. However, it does not typically cause paresthesias, irregular heartbeat, shallow respirations, or crackles in the lungs.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Shaving the hair around the insertion site is not recommended because it can cause skin irritation and increase the risk of infection.
Choice B reason:
Obtaining informed consent from the patient is important, but it is not a step that the nurse should perform before inserting the catheter. Informed consent should be obtained by the physician or advanced practice nurse who will perform the procedure.
Choice C reason:
Administering prophylactic antibiotics to the patient is not a routine practice for central venous catheter insertion. Antibiotics may be indicated for patients with certain risk factors, such as immunosuppression, but they should be prescribed by the physician or advanced practice nurse.
Choice D reason:
Placing the patient in Trendelenburg position is an important step that the nurse should perform before inserting the catheter. This position helps to distend the jugular vein and reduce the risk of air embolism during catheter insertion.
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