Module Details

Nursing management of venous catheters

MS2161

Course
Nursing management of venous catheters
Code
MS2161
Academic Year
2026/2027
Curriculum Year
2025/2026
Degree Programme
NURSING
Curriculum
000 - CORSO GENERICO
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Credits
1
Lecture Hours
12
Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)
MED/45 - General, Clinical and Pediatric Nursing
Course Type
Single-subject learning activity
Course Delivery
OBB - Obbligatoria
Year
2
Teaching period
Secondo Semestre
Campus
ALBA
Teaching language
Italian
Course Contents
Concepts of nursing care aimed at the person with a vascular access device
Reference Texts
1) Pittiruti / Capozzoli - Manuale pratico degli accessi venosi - 2° Ed. - Antonio Delfino Editore

2) Racca / Grio - Dietro un accesso venoso c’è il mondo – Echos Edizioni
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course students will be able to
- design and implement a care plan for a patient with a central vascular access device.
The student will be provided with the essential concepts to know, understand and be able to apply the following skills :
- identify the factors that determine the need for the placement of a vascular access device, knowledge of prevention and early diagnosis of catheter-related complications;
- design a standard care plan for the patient with a central vascular access device.
Prerequisites
The student is expected to demonstrate autonomous clinical judgement, communication skills to plan and describe the implementation of individualised care, autonomously using diagnostic reasoning (nursing process) and knowledge of anatomy and pathology.
Teaching Methods
-Presentations in Power Point format.
-Participatory face-to-face and online lectures.
-Small group work,
-Discussion of clinical and nursing cases
Additional Information
Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (DSA) or Special Educational Needs (BES) may request specific services and tools dedicated to them by contacting the Career Development and Coordination Staff and Student Services and consulting the dedicated page on the University website: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studenti-disabili-e-dsa
Students with disabilities, DSA, BES, once they have made contact with the University Staff, they can contact the teacher in charge of the teaching programme in relation to the declination of examination methods, with regard to teaching aspects.
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of a written test and an oral test. The written test aims to assess the candidate's level of knowledge and understanding of the subjects covered. The written test, administered online, consists of 42 multiple-choice questions on medical subjects and venous access management. Passing this test (60% of the total questions) allows access to the oral test on the subjects of nursing in oncology and hematology, and end-of-life care nursing. The oral examination, which takes place 5-15 days after the written exam, aims to assess the student's ability to independently use diagnostic reasoning, applying the knowledge they have learned and demonstrating their ability to engage in an in-depth discussion on aspects of care specific to people with neoplastic diseases and people at the end of life. The final grade will be the average of the written exam and the average of the oral exam.
Detailed Syllabus
Module 1 - Rational Bases - Anatomy of the vascular system Module 2 - Classification and description of venous access devices - Peripheral venous access devices - Central venous access devices Module 3 - Criteria for choosing the most appropriate device - Criteria for device choice in different care settings - Drug/device compatibility Module 4 - PICCs and MIDLINE - Implantation - Ultrasound guidance - Catheter length - Checking the position of the tip Module 5 - Catheter-related complications - Early and late complications - Haemorrhagic complications - Mechanical complications - Thrombotic complications - Infectious complications Module 6 - Routine management of vascular access devices - Dressing - Washing - Maintenance when not in use - Huber's needle placement - Removal Module 7 - Insights - INS Guidelines 2024 - RNAO Guidelines 2023 - Film projections
Expected Learning Outcomes
Below are the expected outcomes of this module:
--Knowledge and understanding
Students at the end of the course will be able to:
- know the factors that determine the need for placement of a vascular access device
- know the criteria for choosing a vascular access device
- know the strategies for prevention and early diagnosis of catheter-related complications
- know the psycho-social needs of the patient wearing a vascular access device
This knowledge is acquired during the theoretical lectures and exercises and is assessed during the learning assessment examinations
--Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
Students at the end of the course will be able to:
- know the signs and symptoms of catheter-related complications
- know the care strategies to be implemented in a patient with a vascular access device
- be able to apply diagnostic reasoning, using the knowledge provided in the course, in identifying the needs of the patient with a vascular access device and the possible risks related to its placement, management and treatment
- know how to formulate the care plan, with objectives and interventions, for the patient with a central vascular access device.
These skills are acquired during theoretical lectures and tutorials and are assessed during the learning assessment examinations

--Making judgement
Students at the end of the course will be able to:

- Be able to present in oral form the appropriate considerations on the diagnostic reasoning carried out and the consequent care plan designed, the method employed, the planned interventions and the expected results.
- To be able to use the correct terminology.
These skills are acquired during the theoretical lectures and exercises and are assessed during the learning assessment examinations.
Last update:09-09-2026 00:14:31