ACVNU case studies
ACVNU · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The ACVNU credential is intended for clinicians who place, maintain, and manage vascular access devices and who want a formal, exam-based demonstration of that competence. Candidates typically come from nursing, vascular access specialty teams, infusion therapy, and related bedside roles where peripheral and central catheter decisions are made daily. The ACVNU case studies are 5 cases and about 1,991 words.
1Post-Insertion Arm Swelling in a Patient with a New PICC
A 58-year-old woman with a history of right-sided breast cancer and axillary lymph node dissection has a 5 Fr single-lumen PICC placed in her right basilic vein for 6 weeks of IV antibiotics. The insertion was described as difficult, with two venipuncture attempts and a catheter-to-vein ratio of 0.52 measured on post-procedure ultrasound.
448 words, about 2 min2Difficulty Confirming Tip Position in a Patient with a Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava
A central catheter is being placed in a 71-year-old man for vasopressor administration. During ultrasound-guided right internal jugular access, the wire advances but meets resistance at roughly 15 cm.
408 words, about 2 min3Exit-Site Erythema with Purulent Drainage on Day 9
A 44-year-old man with a tunneled central venous catheter for home parenteral nutrition presents on day 9 with a 2 cm area of erythema and induration at the exit site and a small amount of purulent drainage. He has a temperature of 38.4°C, chills, and mild hypotension (blood pressure 96/60 mmHg).
342 words, about 2 min4Occluded Catheter in a Patient Who Needs the Line for Chemotherapy Tomorrow
A 63-year-old woman with a port-a-cath placed 4 months ago presents with inability to aspirate blood, though the line flushes with some resistance. She is scheduled for chemotherapy the next morning and there is no alternative access.
394 words, about 2 min5Consent and Capacity for Catheter Placement in a Confused Patient
An 82-year-old woman with advanced dementia and hospital-acquired pneumonia is referred for a PICC to receive 10 days of IV antibiotics. She is awake but confused, does not consistently recognize her surroundings, and cannot repeat back the risks and benefits of the procedure.
399 words, about 2 min