NCLEX-RN practice › Safety and Infection Control
NCLEX question: central line dressing change (SATA)
Safety and Infection Control · Select all that apply · Clinical judgment step: Take action
Client record
Line details
Right internal jugular triple-lumen catheter, day 4
- Dressing
- transparent, edges lifting
- Site
- no redness or drainage
The nurse is changing the transparent dressing on a client's central venous catheter. Which actions are correct? Select all that apply.
- A. Blow on the site to help the antiseptic dry faster
- B. Ask the client to turn the head away from the site
- C. Use the same gloves that removed the old dressing to apply the new one
- D. Wait 7 days to change the dressing because it is transparent
- E. Apply antibiotic ointment under the dressing
- F. Wear a mask and sterile gloves for the new dressing
- G. Clean the site with chlorhexidine-alcohol and let it dry completely
- H. Tape gauze over the transparent dressing to reinforce lifting edges
Show the answer and rationales
Answer: B, F, G
Central line dressing changes: mask, sterile gloves, chlorhexidine-alcohol allowed to dry, and immediate replacement of any loose, damp or soiled dressing.
- A. Incorrect. Blowing contaminates the site.
- B. Correct. Turning away reduces contamination from the client's breath.
- C. Incorrect. Gloves are changed after removing the old dressing.
- D. Incorrect. A dressing that is loose, damp or soiled is changed right away, regardless of schedule.
- E. Incorrect. Antibiotic ointment is not recommended at central line sites (other than some dialysis catheters) because it promotes resistance and fungal infection.
- F. Correct. Central line dressing changes use sterile technique.
- G. Correct. Chlorhexidine with alcohol is the preferred antiseptic; drying time allows it to work.
- H. Incorrect. Reinforcing a loose dressing leaves a contaminated site; it is replaced.
Scoring: select all that apply items on the Next Generation NCLEX use plus/minus scoring. You gain a point for each correct option you choose and lose a point for each incorrect one, with a minimum of zero. This item is worth 3 points.
Practise more NCLEX questions like this, free →
10 free questions a day, with rationales. Unlimited with a weekly or monthly pass.
More NCLEX practice questions
- NCLEX infection control: which clients need contact precautions (SATA)
- NCLEX question: restraint safety and legal standards (SATA)
- NCLEX question: lithium toxicity after starting ibuprofen
- NCLEX triage question: four clients in the emergency department
- NCLEX mental health question: suicide safety plan (SATA)
All Safety and Infection Control questions → · NCLEX-RN practice hub →
NCLEX® and NCLEX-RN® are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). RecallMed is independent and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, NCSBN or any board of nursing. All questions are original, written and reviewed for exam practice, and do not come from any NCLEX exam. They are not a substitute for your nursing education or clinical guidelines.