What technique is crucial to prevent air embolism when administering medication through a CVAD?

• A. Using a large syringe for flushes
• B. Priming and properly clamping lines
• C. Accessing the port quickly
• D. Minimizing patient movement

Answer: (B)

Preventing air entering the bloodstream from a CVAD relies on making the line air-free and keeping the system closed when not actively delivering medication. Priming the line fills it with fluid and pushes out any air, so the catheter, connectors, and syringes are free of bubbles before administration. Properly clamping the lines keeps them sealed when they’re not connected to a syringe or during disconnections, preventing air from being drawn in or pushed toward the patient if a leak occurs. Together, these steps create a continuous, fluid-filled circuit and remove the main route for air embolism. Other options don’t directly address removing air from the line or maintaining a closed system, so they don’t protect as effectively against air embolism.