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Clinical Practice
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Vascular Access Nursing: Device Selection, Maintenance and Safety

This course prepares nurses to select, insert, access, maintain, assess, and discontinue peripheral and central vascular access devices using evidence-based infection-prevention and safety practices. It progresses from device terminology and infection pathogenesis to site selection, aseptic care, complication recognition, dialysis considerations, and application in clinical scenarios.

A nurse wearing exam gloves supports a seated adult's forearm on a pillow and examines the intact skin in a clean treatment room.
Contact hours
4
Format
Self-paced, online
Last reviewed
Sep 19, 2026

$20.00or included with All-Access

$5 per contact hour · 4 contact hours

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  • No post-test required · unlimited retakes · evaluation and attestation always required

Course Purpose

This course prepares nurses to select, insert, access, maintain, assess, and discontinue peripheral and central vascular access devices using evidence-based infection-prevention and safety practices. It progresses from device terminology and infection pathogenesis to site selection, aseptic care, complication recognition, dialysis considerations, and application in clinical scenarios.

Continuing Education Credit Designation

This educational activity is credited for 4 contact hours at completion of the activity.

Overview

This course prepares nurses to select, insert, access, maintain, assess, and discontinue peripheral and central vascular access devices using evidence-based infection-prevention and safety practices. It progresses from device terminology and infection pathogenesis to site selection, aseptic care, complication recognition, dialysis considerations, and application in clinical scenarios.

Objectives

Upon completion of this independent study, the learner will be able to:

  1. Differentiate CRBSI from CLABSI and distinguish clinical diagnosis from surveillance terminology.
  2. Classify vascular access devices by vessel occupied, insertion site, pathway, intended duration, and number of lumens.
  3. Select an appropriate vascular access device and insertion site based on therapy needs, expected duration, patient-specific risks, and operator competence.
  4. Demonstrate hand hygiene, aseptic technique, skin antisepsis, and barrier precautions appropriate to vascular access procedures.
  5. Apply evidence-based practices when accessing, dressing, and protecting peripheral and central vascular access devices.
  6. Evaluate vascular access sites and dressings for signs of phlebitis, infiltration, infection, malfunction, and loss of dressing integrity.
  7. Determine when a vascular access device requires escalation, replacement, or prompt removal.
  8. Develop a safe nursing response to vascular access scenarios involving emergency insertion, dialysis access, suspected infection, and patient education.

Policy Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEForLess.com. This course should be used for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, prescribe, recommend, or initiate therapies or treatments in any setting. This course is copyrighted by Fast CE For Less, Inc. and may not be replicated, copied, or dispersed without written consent.

Disclosures

Fast CE For Less, Inc. and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.

Who this course is for:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and other healthcare providers in any setting who want continuing education on Vascular Access Nursing: Device Selection, Maintenance and Safety.

Course outline

12 sections · finish in any order across devices

  1. 1

    Course overview and learning objectives

  2. 2

    Introduction

  3. 3

    Vascular Access Terminology and Device Classification

  4. 4

    How Catheter-Related Infections Develop

  5. 5

    Device and Insertion-Site Selection

  6. 6

    Insertion Safety: Competency, Hand Hygiene, and Aseptic Technique

  7. 7

    Safe Access and Ongoing Device Maintenance

  8. 8

    Site Assessment, Dressings, and Skin Protection

  9. 9

    Complication Recognition, Escalation, and Device Removal

  10. 10

    Applied Practice: Dialysis Access, Emergency Lines, and Clinical Scenarios

  11. 11

    Nursing Considerations

  12. 12

    Conclusion

References

The full reference list is included inside the course, after the Conclusion.

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