# A nurse is caring for a client with a short-term central venous catheter. For each action, select the best infection-prevention classification. > source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr) > url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396219&lang=en > language: en > subject: Standard/Transmission-Based Precautions/Surgical Asepsis > category: SIPC ## Question A nurse is caring for a client with a short-term central venous catheter. For each action, select the best infection-prevention classification. | | Safe access or handling practice | Safe site or device-maintenance practice | Increases infection risk | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Perform hand hygiene before and after accessing or dressing the catheter | | | | | Scrub the access port with an appropriate antiseptic and access it only with a sterile device | | | | | Replace a damp, loose, or visibly soiled dressing using aseptic technique | | | | | Review catheter necessity daily and promptly remove the line when it is no longer essential | | | | | Skip connector disinfection or touch the prepared insertion site without maintaining aseptic technique | | | | | Continue using a damp lifting dressing or submerge the catheter site in water | | | | ## Explanation Prevent central-line infection with hand hygiene, aseptic access, antiseptic hub scrubbing, sterile devices, and prompt replacement of damp, loose, or soiled dressings. Review line necessity daily and remove nonessential catheters. Skipping disinfection, touching prepared sites, or continuing a disrupted dressing increases contamination risk. ## In-depth explanation Quick answer Protect every central-line entry point: clean hands, disinfect the access port, use sterile devices, maintain the dressing, and remove the line when it is no longer essential. Why this is correct Microorganisms can enter through the insertion site or contaminated connector. Hand hygiene, aseptic technique, appropriate antisepsis, intact sterile dressings, and fewer unnecessary catheter days reduce opportunities for bloodstream infection. Easy analogy or mental picture A central line is a direct doorway into the bloodstream. Keep the doorway clean, sealed, and open only when needed. Memory hook Clean hands, scrub the port, protect the site, remove the unnecessary line. NCLEX decision rule Perform hand hygiene before and after catheter access or dressing care. Scrub the access port with an appropriate antiseptic and use sterile devices. Replace damp, loose, or visibly soiled dressings and maintain aseptic technique; promptly remove catheters that are no longer essential. Why the other choices are wrong Skipping the port scrub, touching a disinfected site without aseptic technique, submerging the catheter, or continuing a damp lifting dressing creates avoidable contamination risk. Source 1CDC Intravascular Catheter Infection Prevention Recommendations 22026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan ## Clinical scenario The nurse follows the facility's central-line maintenance bundle, uses an appropriate antiseptic for the needleless connector, maintains aseptic technique, inspects the dressing and insertion site, and reviews whether the catheter remains essential each day. ## Key concepts - **CLABSI** — A laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection associated with a central line when another infection source is not identified. - **Needleless connector** — A valve or access component that permits connection to an intravascular catheter without a needle. - **Aseptic technique** — Practices that prevent contamination of critical sites and sterile equipment during catheter access and care. ## Related questions - [A nurse is caring for a client newly admitted with suspected methicillin-resistant Staphyl…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=360517&lang=en) - [A nurse is about to enter the room of a client with Clostridioides difficile infection dur…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361226&lang=en) - [A 22-year-old female client presents to the emergency department with a 4-week history of …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361677&lang=en) - [A 65-year-old client admitted to the medical ICU with sepsis and acute delirium has just p…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361679&lang=en) - [A new graduate registered nurse (RN) on a medical unit just hung an intravenous antibiotic…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361710&lang=en) - [A nurse is caring for a client newly admitted with active Clostridioides difficile infecti…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=363996&lang=en) - [A nurse is caring for an adult client newly admitted with suspected active pulmonary tuber…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=366306&lang=en) - [A nurse cares for a client newly admitted with a positive surveillance culture for vancomy…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=366709&lang=en) ## Read in another language - [en](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396219&lang=en) - [ko](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396219&lang=ko) - [ja](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396219&lang=ja) - [zh-TW](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396219&lang=zh-tw) - [vi](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396219&lang=vi) --- More free questions: [NCLEX-RN Practice](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_bank.php?lang=en) _For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols._