CRNI study materials
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CRNI study plan

CRNI · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Vascular Access Device Selection, Insertion, and Care

  • Classify peripheral and central vascular access devices (peripheral IV, midline, PICC, non-tunneled CVC, tunneled CVC, implanted port) by tip location, dwell time, and infusion type supported.

  • Match at least 10 written clinical scenarios (vesicant therapy, prolonged antibiotics, limited peripheral access, hemodynamic monitoring, short-term emergent access) to the most appropriate device and justify the choice.

  • Sequence the insertion bundle steps for a CVAD, including site assessment, maximal sterile barrier precautions, and tip location confirmation methods.

  • Demonstrate a simulated CVAD dressing change and catheter stabilization using aseptic non-touch technique while verbalizing each infection-prevention step.

Your checkpoint

A one-page device-selection decision tree covering 6 patient scenarios plus a scored 40-item self-quiz on VAD selection and care at 85% or higher.

Week 2

Vascular Access Device Selection, Insertion, and Care & Administration of Infusion Therapies

  • Construct a flush-and-lock reference card for 5 catheter types specifying syringe size, flush volume, technique (pulsatile vs. push-pause), and lock solution frequency per current standards.

  • Perform blood sampling and patency assessment from a CVAD in skills lab or simulation, documenting the discard volume and aseptic technique used.

  • Compare continuous, intermittent, and IV push administration methods, listing the equipment, tubing, and pump-programming checks required for each.

  • Verify pump programming and independent double-check requirements for a set of 8 high-alert infusions.

Your checkpoint

Completed skills checklist of 15 hands-on administration and catheter-care steps, signed off by a preceptor or self-scored against a written rubric with all critical steps met.

Week 3

Administration of Infusion Therapies

  • Differentiate vesicant, irritant, and non-vesicant medications and determine which require central access versus which may be given peripherally.

  • Apply safe administration practices for vesicant infusions, including line patency confirmation, blood return assessment, and monitoring intervals.

  • Calculate infusion rates, drip rates, and volumes for 20 mixed-order problems, showing the formula used for each.

  • Sort a list of 12 drug pairs into compatible and incompatible categories using a compatibility reference and state the required line management for each incompatible pair.

Your checkpoint

A 20-item dose and rate calculation set scored at 90% or higher plus a one-page vesicant administration safety checklist ready for use at the bedside.

Week 4

Complications and Interventions

  • Distinguish infiltration from extravasation and select the correct immediate interventions, including aspiration, antidote, and cold versus warm compress.

  • Categorize catheter occlusion as mechanical, thrombotic, or precipitate-based and select the appropriate clearing agent and technique for each.

  • Prioritize nursing actions for suspected catheter-related bloodstream infection, catheter-related thrombosis, and air embolism using a rapid-recognition format.

  • Differentiate speed shock, fluid overload, and hypersensitivity reactions by onset, signs, and first-line interventions.

Your checkpoint

A 25-case complication drill scored at 80% or higher, accompanied by an extravasation kit inventory list with correct antidote and compress pairings for at least 6 vesicant drugs.

Week 5

Assessment, Planning, and Patient Education & Infection Prevention, Safety, and Risk Management

  • Perform a structured peripheral and central site assessment using a phlebitis scale and document findings in a standardized format.

  • Write plain-language patient education for a patient going home on IV antibiotics, covering line care, bathing, signs to report, and when to call.

  • Assemble the bundle elements that prevent central line-associated bloodstream infection and explain the evidence behind each element.

  • Apply safe-handling requirements for hazardous drugs, including closed system transfer devices, personal protective equipment, and spill response steps.

Your checkpoint

A teach-back education handout for a home infusion patient plus a 20-item infection prevention and safety quiz scored at 85% or higher.

Week 6

Transfusion Therapy and Blood Component Administration & Infection Prevention, Safety, and Risk Management

  • Match blood components (packed red cells, platelets, plasma, cryoprecipitate) to their indications, expected volumes, and typical infusion rates.

  • Sequence pretransfusion steps including type and screen, crossmatch, consent, and two-person bedside verification.

  • Select the correct filter, tubing, and compatibility solution for each blood component and state maximum hang times.

  • Recognize and respond to acute hemolytic, febrile non-hemolytic, allergic, TRALI, and TACO reactions, listing the first three actions for each.

  • Identify system-level risk-reduction practices such as transfusion reaction reporting and hemovigilance documentation.

Your checkpoint

A 15-scenario transfusion reaction recognition and response drill scored at 90% or higher plus a completed bedside transfusion administration checklist.

Week 7

Parenteral Nutrition & Pharmacology, Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy, and Dose Calculations

  • Break down parenteral nutrition components (dextrose, amino acids, lipid emulsion, electrolytes, vitamins, trace elements) and calculate calories and grams provided by a sample order.

  • Determine whether a given PN formulation is appropriate for peripheral versus central administration based on osmolarity and final concentration.

  • Identify monitoring parameters and early signs of refeeding syndrome, hyperglycemia, and essential fatty acid deficiency in a patient receiving PN.

  • Apply hang time, filter, and administration-set requirements for 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 PN formulations.

  • Solve 15 pharmacology and electrolyte calculation problems, including mEq conversions and unit-per-hour rates.

Your checkpoint

A PN monitoring and hang-time reference table for central and peripheral formulations plus a 15-item calculation set scored at 90% or higher.

Week 8

Psychosocial Support and Care Coordination & Professional Practice, Standards, Quality, and Evidence-Based Practice

  • Apply communication strategies for patients with needle anxiety, body image concerns related to a visible catheter, or difficulty adhering to a home infusion schedule.

  • Explain informed consent, patient rights, and the infusion nurse's role in care coordination and handoff across settings.

  • Apply professional standards and evidence-based practice principles to scenario questions on scope of practice, documentation, and quality improvement.

  • Analyze personal practice exam results to rank the three weakest domains and assign a remediation activity to each.

Your checkpoint

A full-length 150-question practice exam scored at 80% or higher plus a written two-page remediation plan naming three weak domains and the specific action planned for each.

Milestones

Week 2: Demonstrate all 15 catheter care and administration skills on the checklist with zero missed critical safety steps before moving to vesicant and complication content.

Week 4: Score 75% or higher on a 75-question cumulative practice exam covering Domains 1 through 4, with an error log that tags every missed item by domain and topic.

Week 6: Verify that every domain has at least one completed deliverable, and confirm the two lowest-scoring domains from the error log are scheduled for weeks 7 and 8.

Week 8: Score 80% or higher on the 150-question full-length practice exam and confirm no single domain falls below 70% in the score breakdown.