If a central line shows signs of occlusion during flushing, which information should be documented as part of the line assessment?

• A. The color of the wall paint
• B. The patient’s footwear
• C. Signs of infection or occlusion and the line status and actions taken
• D. The patient's favorite food

Answer: (C)

When a central line shows signs of occlusion during flushing, the emphasis is on communicating the current line condition and what you did to address it. The best documentation includes any signs indicating occlusion or infection, the line’s status (whether it’s patent or occluded), and the actions taken to manage the situation. This might cover observations like resistance or failure to flush, inability to aspirate, changes in infusion flow, swelling or tenderness at the site, or other infection signs, plus what was done—such as attempting a saline flush with a push-pause technique, using a heparin lock if protocol allows, attempting thrombolytic therapy if indicated, contacting the physician, and any planned follow-up or imaging. Recording the outcome, such as whether patency was restored or if the line remains occluded and requires further intervention, is also essential. This kind of precise documentation supports safe patient care and continuity among the care team.

Irrelevant details like wall color, footwear, or a patient’s favorite food don’t provide information about line function or patient safety and aren’t part of a line assessment.