CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What is the final location for a PICC line?

1. Right atrium

2. SVC (Superior vena cava)

3. Left atrium

4. Peripheral vein

The correct answer is: SVC (Superior vena cava)

The final location for a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) line is the superior vena cava (SVC). This placement is crucial because the SVC is a large central vein that carries blood from the upper body to the heart, specifically draining into the right atrium. Inserting a PICC line into the SVC enables efficient medication administration, parenteral nutrition, and blood draws, minimizing irritation to peripheral veins and allowing for long-term access. This positioning also reduces the risk of complications that can arise from peripheral venous access, such as phlebitis or infiltration, especially when dealing with irritant medications. While peripheral veins are the entry point for the PICC line and the right atrium is part of the heart where the blood ultimately flows, neither of these represents the final resting place of the catheter. The left atrium is not involved in the pathway of a PICC line and is anatomically separate from the pathways used for peripheral access lines. Therefore, the SVC is the correct and final destination for a PICC line.