Peripheral IV Access Course

Lesson 1 • Infection Control and Standard Precautions

Reviews hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and aseptic technique principles. Establishes the infection prevention framework applied in every subsequent skill.

Lesson 2 • IV Fluid and Medication Compatibility

Introduces fluid tonicity, pH, and vesicant properties relevant to peripheral access. Connects medication characteristics to catheter and site selection.

Lesson 3 • Vascular Anatomy for IV Access

Covers upper extremity venous anatomy, vessel wall layers, and valve locations. Establishes the anatomical basis for site selection throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • IV Administration Set Assembly

Demonstrates priming, spiking, and connecting IV tubing to fluid bags without contamination. Reinforces aseptic technique in equipment preparation.

Lesson 2 • Tourniquet and Vein Visualization Tools

Covers tourniquet application techniques and adjunct tools such as near-infrared vein finders. Prepares students to enhance vein visibility before insertion attempts.

Lesson 3 • Catheter Types and Gauge Selection

Compares over-the-needle, safety, and integrated catheter designs across gauge sizes. Links catheter choice to flow rate requirements and patient vessel characteristics.

Lesson 4 • Securement and Dressing Materials

Introduces transparent semipermeable dressings, securement devices, and tape methods. Connects proper securement to catheter dwell time and complication prevention.

Lesson 1 • Preferred and Alternate Site Hierarchy

Establishes a priority order from forearm to antecubital to hand sites with clinical rationale. Prepares students to adapt when preferred sites are unavailable.

Lesson 2 • Patient Factors Affecting Site Choice

Addresses obesity, dehydration, lymphedema, dialysis fistulas, and mastectomy as modifiers of site selection. Integrates patient history into every assessment decision.

Lesson 3 • Documenting and Communicating Site Findings

Covers documentation standards for IV site assessments and handoff communication. Ensures continuity of care and supports complication tracking.

Lesson 1 • Dressing Application and Site Labeling

Applies transparent dressings and securement devices over the confirmed catheter site with proper labeling. Completes the insertion procedure and initiates the monitoring cycle.

Lesson 2 • Patency Confirmation and Flushing

Covers saline flush technique, resistance assessment, and patient symptom monitoring to confirm intravascular placement. Links flushing practice to early complication detection.

Lesson 3 • Pre-Insertion Patient Preparation

Covers patient identification, informed consent, positioning, and anxiety management before insertion. Establishes a safe, patient-centered procedural environment.

Lesson 4 • Needle Insertion and Flashback Recognition

Teaches bevel-up needle angle, skin traction, and venipuncture entry with flashback confirmation. Correct flashback interpretation is the critical checkpoint for successful cannulation.

Lesson 1 • Administration Set Change Intervals

Specifies evidence-based intervals for replacing primary, secondary, and lipid-containing administration sets. Prevents biofilm accumulation and reduces infection risk.

Lesson 2 • Flushing and Locking Protocols

Covers flush volume, frequency, and positive-pressure locking technique for intermittent and continuous use. Prevents occlusion and reduces infection risk between infusions.

Lesson 3 • Dressing Change Procedure

Details the steps for replacing soiled or loose transparent dressings without catheter displacement. Reinforces aseptic technique during every dressing change.

Lesson 4 • Catheter Replacement Criteria

Reviews clinical and time-based criteria for planned and unplanned catheter replacement. Balances infection risk against patient comfort and vascular access preservation.

Lesson 1 • Nerve and Arterial Injury

Identifies signs of inadvertent nerve or arterial puncture during insertion and required immediate actions. Emphasizes anatomical awareness as the primary prevention strategy.

Lesson 2 • Phlebitis: Types and Treatment

Covers mechanical, chemical, and bacterial phlebitis with the Visual Infusion Phlebitis scale. Connects phlebitis prevention to catheter material, site rotation, and dwell time limits.

Lesson 3 • Catheter Occlusion and Dislodgement

Addresses thrombotic and non-thrombotic occlusion causes and troubleshooting steps before catheter removal. Covers accidental dislodgement prevention and response.

Lesson 4 • Systemic Complications

Reviews air embolism, catheter embolism, and bloodstream infection as serious systemic risks. Prepares students to recognize early signs and initiate emergency response.

Lesson 1 • Escalation Pathways and Team Communication

Defines when to escalate to a vascular access specialist or alternative access device after failed peripheral attempts. Prevents patient harm from repeated unsuccessful insertions.

Lesson 2 • Vein Dilation and Enhancement Techniques

Reviews warm compresses, dependent positioning, fist pumping, and nitroglycerin patches for vein dilation. Maximizes vein visibility and diameter before insertion attempts.

Lesson 3 • Defining Difficult Venous Access

Establishes criteria for difficult venous access based on failed attempts, vein characteristics, and patient history. Creates a shared clinical language for escalation decisions.

Lesson 1 • Bariatric and Obese Patient Considerations

Identifies deep vein challenges, positioning needs, and ultrasound utility in obese patients. Ensures safe, effective access without excessive failed attempts.

Lesson 2 • Pediatric Peripheral IV Access

Addresses developmental anatomy, age-appropriate communication, and pain management for pediatric IV insertion. Adapts standard technique to small, fragile pediatric veins.

Lesson 3 • Critical Care and Emergency IV Access

Covers rapid IV access priorities in emergency and ICU settings, including large-bore catheter selection. Balances speed with safety during high-acuity clinical scenarios.

Lesson 4 • Oncology and Immunocompromised Patients

Addresses chemotherapy-damaged veins, thrombocytopenia, and heightened infection risk in oncology patients. Applies stricter aseptic standards and site selection criteria.