Question

What is the purpose of administering medication through a nontunneled percutaneous central catheter?

1) To deliver medication directly into the central circulation
2) To deliver medication into the peripheral circulation
3) To deliver medication into the subcutaneous tissue
4) To deliver medication into the muscle

Answer 1

The purpose of using a nontunneled percutaneous central catheter is to deliver medication directly into the central circulation, which is pivotal for treatments requiring rapid and complete absorption like chemotherapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of administering medication through a nontunneled percutaneous central catheter is to deliver medication directly into the central circulation. This method garners a rapid distribution and a higher plasma concentration, which is essential for certain treatments like chemotherapy or infection control, where oral or peripheral delivery is ineffective or inadequate. Administering medication in this manner ensures that the full dose of medication reaches the bloodstream quickly, bypassing the potential barriers of the peripheral circulation.

Central catheters are critical for long-term therapies, including antibiotics or fluids, particularly when a patient is unable to take oral medications due to reasons like vomiting or intubation. These catheters can also transmit pressures to measuring devices during critical care. However, it is important to manage and monitor these catheters properly as they can be sites of bloodstream infections, potentially leading to serious complications.