Which statement about PICCs is true?

Which statement about PICCs is true?

• A. They are inserted in arm veins such as cephalic, basilic, median cubital, or brachial; placed by RN/LPN/paramedic/EMT; commonly used; single/double/triple lumen; suitable for 1 week to 6 months; advantages include lower infection rate and bedside placement; risk of DVT and phlebitis
• B. They require surgical placement in the neck
• C. They are not used for nutrition support
• D. They are the same as implanted ports

Answer: (A)

PICC lines are central venous access devices inserted through arm veins, with the tip ending in a central vein near the heart. This makes them suitable for mid-term therapy without the need for a surgical neck or chest approach. They can be placed in veins like the cephalic, basilic, median cubital, or brachial veins and can have one or more lumens to accommodate different infusions or blood draws. Because placement is typically done at the bedside by trained clinicians, PICCs offer the advantage of avoiding operating room procedures and are often preferred for intermediate-term use. They are associated with a lower infection rate compared to some other central lines when proper care is followed, but they do carry risks such as deep vein thrombosis and phlebitis in the arm. Nutrition support can be given through a PICC when appropriate, so the statement that they are not used for nutrition is not accurate. They are not the same as implanted ports, which are surgically implanted under the skin and accessed differently. Therefore, the description of arm-vein insertion, multiple lumens, bedside placement, appropriate dwell time, and the infection-risk profile represents the true statement.

PICC lines are central venous access devices inserted through arm veins, with the tip ending in a central vein near the heart. This makes them suitable for mid-term therapy without the need for a surgical neck or chest approach. They can be placed in veins like the cephalic, basilic, median cubital, or brachial veins and can have one or more lumens to accommodate different infusions or blood draws.

Because placement is typically done at the bedside by trained clinicians, PICCs offer the advantage of avoiding operating room procedures and are often preferred for intermediate-term use. They are associated with a lower infection rate compared to some other central lines when proper care is followed, but they do carry risks such as deep vein thrombosis and phlebitis in the arm.

Nutrition support can be given through a PICC when appropriate, so the statement that they are not used for nutrition is not accurate. They are not the same as implanted ports, which are surgically implanted under the skin and accessed differently.

Therefore, the description of arm-vein insertion, multiple lumens, bedside placement, appropriate dwell time, and the infection-risk profile represents the true statement.