PICC PICC Equipment & Device Selection 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which catheter material is most commonly used for PICC lines because it softens at body temperature and minimizes vessel trauma?
- Polyurethane (Correct answer)
- Silicone
- Polyvinyl chloride
- Latex
Correct answer: Polyurethane
Polyurethane is the most common PICC material because it is biocompatible, flexible, and softens at body temperature, reducing irritation and vessel injury.
Question 2: A single-lumen PICC is MOST appropriate for which of the following patients?
- A patient receiving TPN with lipids and a concurrent antibiotic
- A patient requiring multiple incompatible IV medications simultaneously
- A patient requiring a single six-week course of IV antibiotics (Correct answer)
- A patient needing frequent blood draws alongside continuous infusions
Correct answer: A patient requiring a single six-week course of IV antibiotics
Single-lumen PICCs are ideal when only one type of infusion is required, such as a single antibiotic course, minimizing catheter size and thrombosis risk.
Question 3: What is the standard French size range used for adult PICC lines?
- 1–2 Fr
- 3–6 Fr (Correct answer)
- 8–10 Fr
- 12–14 Fr
Correct answer: 3–6 Fr
Adult PICCs typically range from 3 to 6 French, with 4–5 Fr common for single-lumen and 5–6 Fr for dual-lumen devices.
Question 4: Which PICC valve design remains closed at neutral pressure, preventing blood reflux and often eliminating the need for heparin flushes?
- Open-ended PICC
- Split-septum valve PICC
- Groshong valve PICC (Correct answer)
- Side-hole PICC
Correct answer: Groshong valve PICC
The Groshong three-position slit valve remains closed at rest, preventing backflow and air entry, which often makes heparin flushes unnecessary.
Question 5: To reduce thrombosis risk, the catheter-to-vein ratio for a PICC should ideally not exceed:
- 25%
- 33% (Correct answer)
- 45%
- 50%
Correct answer: 33%
A catheter-to-vein ratio no greater than 33% (one-third of vein diameter) allows adequate blood flow around the catheter, reducing the risk of thrombosis.
Question 6: Which PICC design feature allows the clinician to cut the catheter proximally before insertion to achieve the exact required length?
- Fixed-length design
- Trim-to-length (cut-to-length) design (Correct answer)
- Pre-curved tip design
- Pressure-activated safety valve
Correct answer: Trim-to-length (cut-to-length) design
Trim-to-length PICCs can be cut at the proximal end prior to insertion, allowing customization to the patient's individual measurement.
Question 7: A power-injectable PICC is rated to withstand injection pressures up to:
- 150 psi
- 300 psi (Correct answer)
- 550 psi
- 1,000 psi
Correct answer: 300 psi
Power-injectable PICCs are rated to 300 psi, enabling their use with power injectors for contrast-enhanced CT imaging.
PICC PICC Equipment & Device Selection 1
Which catheter material is most commonly used for PICC lines because it softens at body temperature and minimizes vessel trauma?