VA-BC CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ French scale is the measurement of:. Answer: the external diamter of
the catheter
⩥ Fr size=. Answer: external diameter in mm x3 (ex 2mm ext diameter
x3 = 6Fr)
⩥ the larger the French size, the ___the catheter diameter. Answer:
larger
⩥ central venous catheter sizes range from. Answer: 1.2 Fr-15Fr
⩥ 1.2 French. Answer: neonatal PICC
⩥ 15 French. Answer: dialysis catheter
⩥ Gauge scale is the measurement of. Answer: the internal diameter of
the catheter
,⩥ The larger the gauge, the _____ the internal diameter of the catheter.
Answer: smaller
⩥ intravenous catheter sizes range from. Answer: 27g-12g
⩥ Silicone catheter characteristics. Answer: extremely flexible, lower
tensile strength, higher inner/outer diameter ratio, not affected by
chemicals such as alcohol
⩥ polyurethane characteristics. Answer: higher tensile strength, which
minimizes outer/inner diameter ratio, alcohol can act as solvent/risk for
degradation
⩥ which type of catheter material would you avoid when considering the
use of an ethanol lock. Answer: polyurethane
⩥ site selection for peripheral catheters. Answer: cephalic, basilic,
median, and accessory veins of arms
⩥ metacarpals are _______ for general use. Answer: NOT
RECOMMENDED
⩥ Per the 2019 NKF KDOQI Clinical Practice guidelines, metacarpals
are primarily used for _______. Answer: chronic kidney disease patients
,⩥ When utilizing ultrasound for PIV's, ensure greater than ______% of
the catheter length dwells in the vein. Answer: 50
⩥ PIV's are inserted utilizing. Answer: aseptic non-touch technique
⩥ how many attempts per healthcare provider are allotted. Answer: 2
⩥ How many providers and attempts may be utilized prior to escalating
to a vascular access specialist?. Answer: 2 individuals, 2 attempts each
for a maximum of 4 attempts
⩥ Scalp veins can be utilized in patients of what age. Answer: infants
less than 18 months old
⩥ lower extremity veins can be utilized in patients of what age. Answer:
infants before walking and crawling, if possible
⩥ vancomycin may be administered via midline for up to ______.
Answer: 6 days
⩥ site selection for midline. Answer: cephalic, brachial, or basilic veins
, ⩥ midlines are inserted using _______ technique (in regards to infection
control). Answer: aseptic non-touch; consider maximum sterile barrier
precautions; sterile procedural insertion tray
⩥ what do you want to avoid doing with midline catheter placement?.
Answer: do not hub the catheter
⩥ what is the optimal insertion site for a midline in adults. Answer:
smallest catheter to vein ratio (CVR), middle 1/3 of the upper arm,
minimum of 2 inches ABOVE the antecubital fossa
⩥ tip location of midlines. Answer: at or proximal to the axillary line
and distal to the shoulder
⩥ A PICC is considered what type of catheter. Answer: non-tunneled
⩥ non-tunneled (central) catheter vessel selection. Answer: basilic,
brachial, and cephalic veins (PICC); internal and external jugular veins,
axillary/subclavian veins, femoral veins and mid-thigh
⩥ what kind of precautions must be used when inserting a non-tunneled
catheter?. Answer: maximum sterile barrier precautions
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
⩥ French scale is the measurement of:. Answer: the external diamter of
the catheter
⩥ Fr size=. Answer: external diameter in mm x3 (ex 2mm ext diameter
x3 = 6Fr)
⩥ the larger the French size, the ___the catheter diameter. Answer:
larger
⩥ central venous catheter sizes range from. Answer: 1.2 Fr-15Fr
⩥ 1.2 French. Answer: neonatal PICC
⩥ 15 French. Answer: dialysis catheter
⩥ Gauge scale is the measurement of. Answer: the internal diameter of
the catheter
,⩥ The larger the gauge, the _____ the internal diameter of the catheter.
Answer: smaller
⩥ intravenous catheter sizes range from. Answer: 27g-12g
⩥ Silicone catheter characteristics. Answer: extremely flexible, lower
tensile strength, higher inner/outer diameter ratio, not affected by
chemicals such as alcohol
⩥ polyurethane characteristics. Answer: higher tensile strength, which
minimizes outer/inner diameter ratio, alcohol can act as solvent/risk for
degradation
⩥ which type of catheter material would you avoid when considering the
use of an ethanol lock. Answer: polyurethane
⩥ site selection for peripheral catheters. Answer: cephalic, basilic,
median, and accessory veins of arms
⩥ metacarpals are _______ for general use. Answer: NOT
RECOMMENDED
⩥ Per the 2019 NKF KDOQI Clinical Practice guidelines, metacarpals
are primarily used for _______. Answer: chronic kidney disease patients
,⩥ When utilizing ultrasound for PIV's, ensure greater than ______% of
the catheter length dwells in the vein. Answer: 50
⩥ PIV's are inserted utilizing. Answer: aseptic non-touch technique
⩥ how many attempts per healthcare provider are allotted. Answer: 2
⩥ How many providers and attempts may be utilized prior to escalating
to a vascular access specialist?. Answer: 2 individuals, 2 attempts each
for a maximum of 4 attempts
⩥ Scalp veins can be utilized in patients of what age. Answer: infants
less than 18 months old
⩥ lower extremity veins can be utilized in patients of what age. Answer:
infants before walking and crawling, if possible
⩥ vancomycin may be administered via midline for up to ______.
Answer: 6 days
⩥ site selection for midline. Answer: cephalic, brachial, or basilic veins
, ⩥ midlines are inserted using _______ technique (in regards to infection
control). Answer: aseptic non-touch; consider maximum sterile barrier
precautions; sterile procedural insertion tray
⩥ what do you want to avoid doing with midline catheter placement?.
Answer: do not hub the catheter
⩥ what is the optimal insertion site for a midline in adults. Answer:
smallest catheter to vein ratio (CVR), middle 1/3 of the upper arm,
minimum of 2 inches ABOVE the antecubital fossa
⩥ tip location of midlines. Answer: at or proximal to the axillary line
and distal to the shoulder
⩥ A PICC is considered what type of catheter. Answer: non-tunneled
⩥ non-tunneled (central) catheter vessel selection. Answer: basilic,
brachial, and cephalic veins (PICC); internal and external jugular veins,
axillary/subclavian veins, femoral veins and mid-thigh
⩥ what kind of precautions must be used when inserting a non-tunneled
catheter?. Answer: maximum sterile barrier precautions
