PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What type of vascular access uses a thin, flexible tube placed into a large vein, allowing for immediate access but with the highest infection risk?

1. Peritoneal catheter

2. Central venous catheter

3. Arteriovenous fistula

4. Kidney transplant

The correct answer is: Central venous catheter

A central venous catheter is a thin, flexible tube inserted into a large vein, often in the neck, chest, or groin, to provide immediate access to the vascular system. This type of access is utilized for various purposes, including administering medications, fluids, and nutrition, as well as for blood sampling and hemodynamic monitoring. One of the critical aspects of central venous catheters is their vulnerability to infection, particularly bloodstream infections, due to their placement in large, central veins where they can introduce pathogens directly into the bloodstream. Patients with central venous catheters must be closely monitored for signs of infection, and strict aseptic techniques must be adhered to during insertion and maintenance to mitigate this risk. The other options, while they each have specific uses and implications, do not match the criteria of being a thin, flexible tube placed into a large vein with the same level of immediate access and associated infection risk as a central venous catheter. For example, a peritoneal catheter is used for dialysis but accesses the peritoneal cavity rather than a vein. An arteriovenous fistula is a surgical creation for dialysis access and isn't a flexible tube. A kidney transplant involves placing a new kidney, which, while providing