iContinued Respiratory Therapy – Call us: 866-382-0799

Exam Preview

Arterial Catheter (A-line) Insertion

View Course Details Please note: exam questions are subject to change.
Print

1.  The respiratory therapist is preparing to insert a right radial arterial line. To prepare for the insertion of the catheter, what is the most appropriate action to take?
  1. Restrain the patient’s right arm securely to the side of the bed
  2. Place a towel under the back of the right wrist to hyperextend the wrist
  3. Elevate, hyperextend, and support the patient’s right arm with a pillow
  4. Place the patient in the modified Trendelenburg position to expose the vessel
2.  Complications of injury and risk of infection are most likely to increase when which of the following arteries are punctured for an arterial line?
  1. Femoral artery
  2. Radial artery
  3. Brachial artery
  4. Ulnar artery
3.  Before inserting an arterial catheter, which of the following interventions should the respiratory therapist perform first?
  1. Cleanse the intended insertion site with povidone-iodine.
  2. Assess the patient’s history for the use of anticoagulants
  3. Notify radiology that a radiograph is needed once the line is placed
  4. Call the surgeon to assist
4.  Which of the following is a contraindication for arterial line placement?
  1. Traumatic injury proximal to the site of insertion
  2. Failure to demonstrate collateral flow in the small vessels
  3. Presence of an arteriovenous shunt in the limb
  4. Arterial insufficiency in the distribution of the artery being cannulated
5.  The respiratory therapist punctured the skin and advanced the needle and cannula until a blood return was seen in the hub. What is the next step after ensuring the cannula is in the artery?
  1. Zero the monitoring system and verify the waveform
  2. Secure the catheter in place
  3. Connect the catheter to a single-pressure transducer
  4. Remove the stylet or guidewire