VA-BC CERTIFICATION STUDY MATERIAL
2026 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ What is the French Scale? Answer: Measurement of the outside size
(diameter) of a catheter
⩥ What is the range of Central venous catheter French sizes? Answer:
1.2fr for Neonates up to 15fr for dialysis catheters
⩥ As the French size increases, what does the diameter of the catheter
do? Answer: It increases
⩥ What is the gauge scale? Answer: Measurement of the outside
size(diameter) of a catheter
⩥ As the gauge number gets larger, what happens to the catheter size?
Answer: It gets smaller.
⩥ What is the gauge range of IV catheters? Answer: 24ga to 12 ga
,⩥ Why are all I.V. devices manufactured in the USA are required to be
radiopaque? Answer: To facilitate location of catheter emboli in the
event of shearing or fracture
⩥ From what two materials are IV catheters made? Answer: Silicone and
Polyurethane
⩥ Which catheter material can be affected by alcohol? Answer:
Polyurethane
⩥ What are the indications for short peripheral catheters? Answer: -
Infusions projected for 6 days or less
-Non-irritating medications and solutions
-Non-vesicant medications and solutions
⩥ What are contraindications for short peripheral catheters? Answer: -
Placement into an arm with fracture, trauma, infection, or compromised
circulation
-Veins in the arm on the same side of a mastectomy, breast surgery or
lymph node dissection
-Veins in the arm with an A/V fistula or graft
⩥ What veins are used for short peripheral catheters? Answer:
Metacarpal, cephalic, basilic and accessory veins of the arms
, ⩥ How many short peripheral catheter insertion attempts per healthcare
provider are allowed? Answer: 2
⩥ What additional veins in pediatrics may be used for non-
irritating/non-vesicant infusions? Answer: Metacarpal, cephalic or
basilic, scalp veins if <18mo
⩥ What are the indications for a midline catheter? Answer: -Infusions
projected for 6 days- 4 weeks
-Non-irritating medications and solutions
-Non-vesicant medications and solutions
⩥ What are contraindications for a midline? Answer: -Arms with: A/V
fistula, infection, fracture, trauma, or compromised circulation
-Chronic Kidney Disease
⩥ What are the sites and vessel selection for midline catheters? Answer:
Basilic or cephalic vein in the antecubital fossa or lower part of the
upper arm
⩥ What product should be used for a midline placement? Answer: A
product that is specifically designed and labeled as a peripheral midline
catheter
2026 COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ What is the French Scale? Answer: Measurement of the outside size
(diameter) of a catheter
⩥ What is the range of Central venous catheter French sizes? Answer:
1.2fr for Neonates up to 15fr for dialysis catheters
⩥ As the French size increases, what does the diameter of the catheter
do? Answer: It increases
⩥ What is the gauge scale? Answer: Measurement of the outside
size(diameter) of a catheter
⩥ As the gauge number gets larger, what happens to the catheter size?
Answer: It gets smaller.
⩥ What is the gauge range of IV catheters? Answer: 24ga to 12 ga
,⩥ Why are all I.V. devices manufactured in the USA are required to be
radiopaque? Answer: To facilitate location of catheter emboli in the
event of shearing or fracture
⩥ From what two materials are IV catheters made? Answer: Silicone and
Polyurethane
⩥ Which catheter material can be affected by alcohol? Answer:
Polyurethane
⩥ What are the indications for short peripheral catheters? Answer: -
Infusions projected for 6 days or less
-Non-irritating medications and solutions
-Non-vesicant medications and solutions
⩥ What are contraindications for short peripheral catheters? Answer: -
Placement into an arm with fracture, trauma, infection, or compromised
circulation
-Veins in the arm on the same side of a mastectomy, breast surgery or
lymph node dissection
-Veins in the arm with an A/V fistula or graft
⩥ What veins are used for short peripheral catheters? Answer:
Metacarpal, cephalic, basilic and accessory veins of the arms
, ⩥ How many short peripheral catheter insertion attempts per healthcare
provider are allowed? Answer: 2
⩥ What additional veins in pediatrics may be used for non-
irritating/non-vesicant infusions? Answer: Metacarpal, cephalic or
basilic, scalp veins if <18mo
⩥ What are the indications for a midline catheter? Answer: -Infusions
projected for 6 days- 4 weeks
-Non-irritating medications and solutions
-Non-vesicant medications and solutions
⩥ What are contraindications for a midline? Answer: -Arms with: A/V
fistula, infection, fracture, trauma, or compromised circulation
-Chronic Kidney Disease
⩥ What are the sites and vessel selection for midline catheters? Answer:
Basilic or cephalic vein in the antecubital fossa or lower part of the
upper arm
⩥ What product should be used for a midline placement? Answer: A
product that is specifically designed and labeled as a peripheral midline
catheter
