nurse opening a huber needle

New, Improved, and Streamlined: Explore Our Updated Central Lines Course

Current Central-Line Education Without the Clutter

Central-line care involves far more than completing a series of tasks. Nurses must understand the device, the prescribed therapy, patient-specific risks, infection-prevention measures, and the warning signs that may indicate a developing complication.

Our streamlined rewrite brings these interconnected topics together in a cohesive course designed for today’s nursing practice. Learners explore the major types of central venous access devices, including:

  • Non-tunneled central venous catheters

  • Peripherally inserted central catheters, or PICCs

  • Tunneled central venous catheters

  • Implanted vascular access ports

  • Open-ended and valved catheters

  • Single- and multi-lumen devices

  • Power-injectable devices

The course also reviews central venous anatomy, access sites, catheter tip position, device selection, insertion considerations, and the importance of matching the device to the patient and prescribed therapy.

A Stronger Focus on Safe Care and Maintenance

Once a central line is placed, consistent evidence-based care becomes critical. The updated course provides focused instruction on the practices nurses use to protect patients and preserve device function.

Topics include hand hygiene and aseptic access, hub disinfection, needleless connector management, catheter stabilization, dressing and site care, skin antisepsis, flushing and locking, patency assessment, administration-set management, blood sampling, and implanted port access and de-access.

Special attention is given to the prevention and early recognition of central line-associated bloodstream infections. Learners also review strategies for maintaining catheter patency and responding appropriately when a device is not functioning as expected.

Recognize Complications Before They Escalate

Central-line complications can become serious quickly. Nurses need to recognize subtle warning signs, understand the possible cause, and know when immediate intervention or escalation is required.

The rewritten course addresses infectious, thrombotic, mechanical, infusion-related, and insertion-related complications, including:

  • Catheter dysfunction and loss of blood return

  • Catheter migration and malposition

  • Infiltration and extravasation

  • Local and bloodstream infections

  • Air embolism

  • Catheter-related cardiac complications

  • Pneumothorax and hemothorax

  • Pinch-off syndrome

  • Medical adhesive-related skin injury

  • Nerve injury and other less-common complications

By presenting this information in a more organized and approachable format, the course helps learners connect assessment findings with safe, appropriate responses.

Practical Guidance From Beginning to End

Central-line safety continues throughout the life of the device. The course therefore extends beyond access and maintenance to include ongoing necessity assessment, documentation, patient and caregiver education, transitions of care, and device discontinuation.

Learners review principles for the safe removal of eligible PICCs and non-tunneled central venous catheters, including preparation, air-embolism prevention, management of resistance, catheter-integrity assessment, hemostasis, post-removal monitoring, and documentation.

Printable skills competency checklists are also included for procedures such as CVAD assessment, dressing and needleless connector changes, flushing and locking, blood collection, implanted port access and de-access, medication administration, and eligible catheter removal. These resources may be used in accordance with organizational policy and applicable scope-of-practice requirements.

Valuable Education for LPNs, LVNs, and RNs

This course is used as part of many of Pedagogy Education’s state-specific IV education and certification programs for LPNs and LVNs. Because nursing laws and scope-of-practice requirements vary by state, learners should always confirm the requirements that apply to their license and practice setting.

The standalone course also awards 5 continuing nursing education contact hours, making it an excellent choice for RNs seeking focused, accredited education in central venous access device care. Pedagogy Education’s current provider approvals and accreditation information are available on its Accreditation Statements page.

Course completion provides education and a foundation for competency development; it does not independently authorize a clinician to perform central-line procedures. Nurses must follow applicable laws, professional scope of practice, organizational policies, and competency-verification requirements.

Written by an Experienced Infusion Nurse

The course was authored by Capra Garrison, RN, who brings more than 40 years of experience in infusion therapy and licensed-nurse education. Her background spans acute care, ambulatory infusion, home infusion, long-term care education, and pharmacy quality assurance—giving the course a practical perspective grounded in real-world nursing environments.

Start the New Central Lines Course Today

Clearer. More focused. Easier to navigate. Built around the central-line knowledge nurses need today.

Whether you are completing state-specific IV education, refreshing your knowledge, preparing to demonstrate competency, or earning CNE contact hours, the new Central Lines: Current Standards of Practice course offers a streamlined path to stronger, safer practice.

Explore the course and get started today.

Pedagogy Continuing Nurse Education: Written by nurses, for nurses.