Critical care: central line site and infection: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · Critical care: central line site and infection

Sample item

Which central venous insertion site carries the lowest infection risk and which the highest?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Subclavian lowest, femoral highest

The subclavian vein has the lowest rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection but a higher risk of pneumothorax, while the femoral vein has the highest infection and thrombosis risk. Maximal barrier precautions, chlorhexidine skin preparation and daily review of line necessity reduce infection. Ultrasound guidance reduces mechanical complications.

Option by option

  • A. Femoral lowest, subclavian highest

    The reverse is true.

  • B. Subclavian lowest, femoral highest (correct)

    Correct. Subclavian has the lowest infection rate and femoral the highest.

  • C. Internal jugular lowest, subclavian highest

    Subclavian has the lowest, not the highest, infection rate.

  • D. All sites have identical risk

    Site does influence infection risk.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, Subclavian lowest, femoral highest. The subclavian vein has the lowest rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection but a higher risk of pneumothorax, while the femoral vein has the highest infection and thrombosis risk.

Why is "Femoral lowest, subclavian highest" not the answer?

The reverse is true.

Why is "Internal jugular lowest, subclavian highest" not the answer?

Subclavian has the lowest, not the highest, infection rate.

Why is "All sites have identical risk" not the answer?

Site does influence infection risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Critical care: central line site and infection in Anaesthesia. Maximal barrier precautions, chlorhexidine skin preparation and daily review of line necessity reduce infection. Ultrasound guidance reduces mechanical complications.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Critical care: central line site and infection?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.