Chest imaging: central venous catheter: practice question

A Radiology 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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Radiology · Chest imaging: central venous catheter

Sample item

Immediately after insertion of a right internal jugular central line, what is the purpose of a chest radiograph?

ATo detect pulmonary embolismBTo measure the central venous pressureCTo check the patency of the cannula by contrast flow onlyDTo confirm tip position near the cavoatrial junction and exclude pneumothorax

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. To confirm tip position near the cavoatrial junction and exclude pneumothorax

The catheter tip should lie in the lower superior vena cava near its junction with the right atrium. The radiograph also excludes iatrogenic pneumothorax or haemothorax and malposition, such as into the azygos vein or the jugular vein.

Option by option

A. To detect pulmonary embolism
A plain film cannot diagnose pulmonary embolism.
B. To measure the central venous pressure
Pressure is measured with a transducer, not by a radiograph.
C. To check the patency of the cannula by contrast flow only
Patency is tested by aspiration and flushing, not by routine radiography.
D. To confirm tip position near the cavoatrial junction and exclude pneumothorax (correct)
Correct. Tip position and complications are checked on the film.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, To confirm tip position near the cavoatrial junction and exclude pneumothorax. The catheter tip should lie in the lower superior vena cava near its junction with the right atrium.

Why is "To detect pulmonary embolism" not the answer?

A plain film cannot diagnose pulmonary embolism.

Why is "To measure the central venous pressure" not the answer?

Pressure is measured with a transducer, not by a radiograph.

Why is "To check the patency of the cannula by contrast flow only" not the answer?

Patency is tested by aspiration and flushing, not by routine radiography.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: central venous catheter in Radiology. The radiograph also excludes iatrogenic pneumothorax or haemothorax and malposition, such as into the azygos vein or the jugular vein.

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 Chest imaging: central venous catheter?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology 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.