Your Dialysis Catheter

Your Dialysis Catheter

✅ MCQs: Dialysis Catheters

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1. Which of the following is a temporary dialysis access device?
A. Arteriovenous fistula
B. Tunneled cuffed catheter
C. Non-tunneled catheter
D. Graft
➡️ Answer: C. Non-tunneled catheter

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2. Where is a tunneled dialysis catheter usually inserted?
A. Radial artery
B. Femoral artery
C. Internal jugular vein
D. Subclavian artery
➡️ Answer: C. Internal jugular vein

3. The major risk associated with long-term use of dialysis catheters is:
A. Aneurysm
B. Infection
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
➡️ Answer: B. Infection

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4. Which of the following best describes a tunneled dialysis catheter?
A. Used for emergency short-term access
B. Placed in the operating room under general anesthesia only
C. Has a cuff that promotes tissue ingrowth
D. Cannot be used for hemodialysis
➡️ Answer: C. Has a cuff that promotes tissue ingrowth

5. Which of the following veins is most preferred for catheter insertion to reduce risk of central vein stenosis?
A. Left subclavian vein
B. Right internal jugular vein
C. Left femoral vein
D. External jugular vein
➡️ Answer: B. Right internal jugular vein

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6. What is the purpose of locking a dialysis catheter with heparin or citrate after use?
A. To clean the catheter
B. To prevent clotting inside the lumen
C. To numb the catheter site
D. To increase blood flow
➡️ Answer: B. To prevent clotting inside the lumen

7. Which is a key sign of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI)?
A. Hypertension
B. Fever with no other source of infection
C. Increased appetite
D. Muscle twitching
➡️ Answer: B. Fever with no other source of infection

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8. What is the usual blood flow rate achievable through a well-functioning tunneled catheter?
A. 100–150 mL/min
B. 200–250 mL/min
C. 300–500 mL/min
D. >600 mL/min
➡️ Answer: B. 200–250 mL/min

9. A dialysis catheter should be flushed with saline before use to:
A. Prevent anemia
B. Reduce infection
C. Confirm patency
D. Lower potassium
➡️ Answer: C. Confirm patency

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10. When using a dialysis catheter, blood should be drawn from:
A. The arterial port only
B. The venous port only
C. Either port
D. The designated arterial and venous ports appropriately
➡️ Answer: D. The designated arterial and venous ports appropriately

11. Which of the following is not a recommended site for long-term dialysis catheter placement?
A. Right internal jugular vein
B. Subclavian vein
C. Femoral vein
D. Left internal jugular vein
➡️ Answer: B. Subclavian vein
(Reason: Associated with higher risk of central vein stenosis.)

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12. The “cuff” in a tunneled dialysis catheter helps to:
A. Increase blood flow
B. Prevent bleeding
C. Anchor the catheter and prevent infection migration
D. Deliver anticoagulant
➡️ Answer: C. Anchor the catheter and prevent infection migration

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13. A common mechanical complication of dialysis catheters is:
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Fibrin sheath formation
C. Arterial embolism
D. Polycythemia
➡️ Answer: B. Fibrin sheath formation

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14. If a dialysis catheter has poor blood flow, what should be checked first?
A. Patient's blood pressure
B. Heparin lock concentration
C. Catheter position on chest X-ray
D. Blood urea level
➡️ Answer: C. Catheter position on chest X-ray

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15. Which sign suggests catheter exit site infection?
A. Hypertension
B. Redness and purulent discharge at the insertion site
C. Bradycardia
D. Loss of AV thrill
➡️ Answer: B. Redness and purulent discharge at the insertion site

16. For temporary dialysis access, the femoral vein is used most appropriately when:
A. The patient is ambulatory
B. The internal jugular vein is not accessible
C. Blood pressure is high
D. The patient has a fistula
➡️ Answer: B. The internal jugular vein is not accessible

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17. Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are best prevented by:
A. Giving high protein diet
B. Increasing blood flow rates
C. Following strict aseptic technique during handling
D. Changing catheters every week
➡️ Answer: C. Following strict aseptic technique during handling

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18. What is the typical color code of a dialysis catheter's arterial lumen?
A. Blue
B. White
C. Red
D. Green
➡️ Answer: C. Red

19. A "fibrin sheath" complication can result in:
A. Increased catheter patency
B. Enhanced blood flow
C. Reduced catheter function and withdrawal occlusion
D. Protection from infection
➡️ Answer: C. Reduced catheter function and withdrawal occlusion

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20. Which of the following is true about locking dialysis catheters post-treatment?
A. Locking solution must always be saline
B. Heparin or citrate is used to prevent clot formation
C. Locking is only done in emergency catheters
D. Locking prevents infection
➡️ Answer: B. Heparin or citrate is used to prevent clot formation