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Central Venous Catheter Care — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Air embolism → clamp + left side

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Safety & Infection Control 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Central Venous Catheter Care on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Do

Nursing actions

Sterile dressing changes
Scrub the hub before access
Flush per protocol (SASH)

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Insert

Key facts

Confirm tip by X-ray first use
Trendelenburg + Valsalva on removal

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Air Embolism

Key facts

Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, ↓BP
Clamp line, LEFT side Trendelenburg

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Report

Notify / act now

Redness, drainage → infection
Fever, occlusion, no blood return

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Quick Tip

The catheter tip sits in the superior vena cava; correct tip placement is confirmed by X-ray before initial use.

📖 Related Topics

Group B Streptococcus Lead Poisoning Child Abuse Recognition Car Seat Safety

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