FLORIDA BOARD OF NURSING CERTIFIED
VASCULAR ACCESS NURSE EXAM WITH
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS, PLUS EXPLAINED
RATIONALES/EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED 100% PASS 2026/LATEST
UPDATE/INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient requires a continuous vesicant infusion for several
weeks. Which vascular access device is generally most appropriate
when long-term central venous access is required?
A. Short peripheral IV catheter
B. Midline catheter
C. Implanted vascular access port
D. Butterfly needle
Answer: C. Implanted vascular access port
Rationale: An implanted port provides durable central venous access
for patients requiring intermittent or prolonged therapy while
minimizing the need for an external catheter. It is particularly useful
for long-term chemotherapy and other therapies requiring reliable
central access. The device must be accessed using appropriate
sterile/aseptic technique and an appropriate non-coring needle.
2. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter. Which
action best reduces the risk of catheter-related infection?
A. Palpating the cleansed site repeatedly before insertion
B. Allowing the antiseptic to dry according to the product instructions
C. Blowing on the site to accelerate drying
D. Recleansing the site after catheter insertion
1
,Answer: B. Allowing the antiseptic to dry according to the product
instructions
Rationale: Proper skin antisepsis and adequate drying are critical
components of infection prevention. Touching the prepared site can
recontaminate it, and blowing on the site is inappropriate. Current
infusion standards emphasize aseptic technique throughout vascular-
access procedures.
3. A patient with a newly inserted PICC develops swelling, pain, and
erythema extending along the upper arm. The patient also reports a
sensation of heaviness in the arm. What complication should the
vascular access nurse suspect first?
A. Catheter-related bloodstream infection
B. Upper-extremity venous thrombosis
C. Air embolism
D. Extravasation
Answer: B. Upper-extremity venous thrombosis
Rationale: New unilateral arm swelling, pain, erythema, heaviness, or
venous distention after central catheter placement should raise
concern for catheter-associated thrombosis. The nurse should stop
using the catheter when clinically indicated, assess the patient, notify
the appropriate provider, and anticipate diagnostic evaluation such as
ultrasound.
4. During assessment of a central venous catheter, the nurse
observes purulent drainage at the insertion site and notes that the
patient has a fever. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Flush the catheter forcefully
B. Apply additional tape over the drainage
2
,C. Assess the patient and promptly notify the appropriate clinician
D. Remove the dressing and leave the catheter exposed
Answer: C. Assess the patient and promptly notify the appropriate
clinician
Rationale: Purulent drainage and fever may indicate a local or
systemic catheter-related infection. The nurse should perform an
immediate clinical assessment and follow the institution's infection-
management and catheter-removal protocols. Forceful flushing can be
dangerous and does not treat infection.
5. Which catheter tip location is generally preferred for a PICC
intended for central venous therapy?
A. Basilic vein
B. Axillary vein
C. Lower superior vena cava/cavoatrial junction region
D. Subclavian vein
Answer: C. Lower superior vena cava/cavoatrial junction region
Rationale: A PICC is advanced from a peripheral vein into the central
circulation. Appropriate tip positioning is essential for safe
administration of irritating or vesicant medications and for catheter
function. Exact acceptable tip location depends on device, patient
anatomy, institutional policy, and confirmation method.
6. A patient receiving chemotherapy through a peripheral IV
suddenly reports burning at the site. The nurse notices swelling and
blanching around the insertion site. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion
3
, C. Apply pressure and continue the infusion
D. Flush the catheter rapidly
Answer: B. Stop the infusion
Rationale: Burning, pain, swelling, blanching, or erythema during
vesicant administration suggests possible extravasation. The infusion
should be stopped immediately while the catheter is generally left in
place initially so that residual medication can potentially be aspirated
according to the specific extravasation protocol.
7. A vascular access nurse is assessing a PICC. The external catheter
length is several centimeters longer than documented immediately
after insertion. What is the most appropriate interpretation?
A. This always indicates normal catheter growth
B. The catheter may have migrated outward
C. The catheter has definitely fractured
D. The catheter should automatically be advanced back into the patient
Answer: B. The catheter may have migrated outward
Rationale: A change in external catheter length can indicate catheter
migration or dislodgement. The nurse should not push a contaminated
or displaced catheter back into the patient. The device should be
assessed and managed according to institutional policy, with tip-
location verification when indicated.
8. Which finding is most concerning for catheter occlusion caused by
mechanical obstruction?
A. Catheter flushes easily with normal resistance
B. Infusion runs freely by gravity
4
VASCULAR ACCESS NURSE EXAM WITH
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS, PLUS EXPLAINED
RATIONALES/EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED 100% PASS 2026/LATEST
UPDATE/INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient requires a continuous vesicant infusion for several
weeks. Which vascular access device is generally most appropriate
when long-term central venous access is required?
A. Short peripheral IV catheter
B. Midline catheter
C. Implanted vascular access port
D. Butterfly needle
Answer: C. Implanted vascular access port
Rationale: An implanted port provides durable central venous access
for patients requiring intermittent or prolonged therapy while
minimizing the need for an external catheter. It is particularly useful
for long-term chemotherapy and other therapies requiring reliable
central access. The device must be accessed using appropriate
sterile/aseptic technique and an appropriate non-coring needle.
2. A nurse is preparing to insert a peripheral IV catheter. Which
action best reduces the risk of catheter-related infection?
A. Palpating the cleansed site repeatedly before insertion
B. Allowing the antiseptic to dry according to the product instructions
C. Blowing on the site to accelerate drying
D. Recleansing the site after catheter insertion
1
,Answer: B. Allowing the antiseptic to dry according to the product
instructions
Rationale: Proper skin antisepsis and adequate drying are critical
components of infection prevention. Touching the prepared site can
recontaminate it, and blowing on the site is inappropriate. Current
infusion standards emphasize aseptic technique throughout vascular-
access procedures.
3. A patient with a newly inserted PICC develops swelling, pain, and
erythema extending along the upper arm. The patient also reports a
sensation of heaviness in the arm. What complication should the
vascular access nurse suspect first?
A. Catheter-related bloodstream infection
B. Upper-extremity venous thrombosis
C. Air embolism
D. Extravasation
Answer: B. Upper-extremity venous thrombosis
Rationale: New unilateral arm swelling, pain, erythema, heaviness, or
venous distention after central catheter placement should raise
concern for catheter-associated thrombosis. The nurse should stop
using the catheter when clinically indicated, assess the patient, notify
the appropriate provider, and anticipate diagnostic evaluation such as
ultrasound.
4. During assessment of a central venous catheter, the nurse
observes purulent drainage at the insertion site and notes that the
patient has a fever. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Flush the catheter forcefully
B. Apply additional tape over the drainage
2
,C. Assess the patient and promptly notify the appropriate clinician
D. Remove the dressing and leave the catheter exposed
Answer: C. Assess the patient and promptly notify the appropriate
clinician
Rationale: Purulent drainage and fever may indicate a local or
systemic catheter-related infection. The nurse should perform an
immediate clinical assessment and follow the institution's infection-
management and catheter-removal protocols. Forceful flushing can be
dangerous and does not treat infection.
5. Which catheter tip location is generally preferred for a PICC
intended for central venous therapy?
A. Basilic vein
B. Axillary vein
C. Lower superior vena cava/cavoatrial junction region
D. Subclavian vein
Answer: C. Lower superior vena cava/cavoatrial junction region
Rationale: A PICC is advanced from a peripheral vein into the central
circulation. Appropriate tip positioning is essential for safe
administration of irritating or vesicant medications and for catheter
function. Exact acceptable tip location depends on device, patient
anatomy, institutional policy, and confirmation method.
6. A patient receiving chemotherapy through a peripheral IV
suddenly reports burning at the site. The nurse notices swelling and
blanching around the insertion site. What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion
3
, C. Apply pressure and continue the infusion
D. Flush the catheter rapidly
Answer: B. Stop the infusion
Rationale: Burning, pain, swelling, blanching, or erythema during
vesicant administration suggests possible extravasation. The infusion
should be stopped immediately while the catheter is generally left in
place initially so that residual medication can potentially be aspirated
according to the specific extravasation protocol.
7. A vascular access nurse is assessing a PICC. The external catheter
length is several centimeters longer than documented immediately
after insertion. What is the most appropriate interpretation?
A. This always indicates normal catheter growth
B. The catheter may have migrated outward
C. The catheter has definitely fractured
D. The catheter should automatically be advanced back into the patient
Answer: B. The catheter may have migrated outward
Rationale: A change in external catheter length can indicate catheter
migration or dislodgement. The nurse should not push a contaminated
or displaced catheter back into the patient. The device should be
assessed and managed according to institutional policy, with tip-
location verification when indicated.
8. Which finding is most concerning for catheter occlusion caused by
mechanical obstruction?
A. Catheter flushes easily with normal resistance
B. Infusion runs freely by gravity
4
