Nursing Skills
Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Care
Management of venous access devices placed in large central veins for long-term therapy or vesicant medications.
Catheter Maintenance
- Use sterile technique for all dressing changes.
- Change dressings per agency protocol or when wet/soiled.
- Scrub the hub with alcohol or chlorhexidine for 15 seconds before access.
- Always use 10mL syringe or larger for flushing to prevent catheter rupture.
Complication Prevention
- Monitor for Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI): fever, chills, redness at site.
- Prevent air embolism: keep system closed, prime all lines, and use Luer-lock connections.
- If air embolism is suspected: place in Trendelenburg on left side, administer O2.
Documentation
- Assess site for signs of migration or thrombosis.
- Document patency and blood return before infusion.
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