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Vascular Access Certification Corporation

Exam References

These references were used to develop test items; this list is not intended to be all-inclusive. This reference list contains guidelines, journal reviews, textbooks, and web sites that include information of significance to vascular access. Exam questions are written from the core references. After carefully reviewing the test blueprint and identifying learning needs, exam candidates should identify those references determined to be most valuable based on their individual learning needs.

Please note that some open access references are free when you create a free account.

Several of these resources may require a subscription or purchase. Please check with your facility to see if they may have access to these resources for their staff.

For ease of studying, you can access a printable list of these references here (PDF format).

Guidelines

Open Access

  1. Strategies to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infections in acute-care hospitals, 2022 update. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2022.87
  2. Best Practice Guidelines in the Care and Maintenance of Pediatric Central Venous Catheters. 2nd Edition, Association for Vascular Access. 2015; Herriman UT. https://www.ivas.online/newstyle/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AVA-Pediatric-Guidelines-2nd-edition_web.pdf
  3. The Joint Commission (2024). National Patient Safety Goals. https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/national-patient-safety-goals/
  4. Practice Guidelines for Central Venous Access 2020. American Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force on Central Venous Access. https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000002864
  5. Chopra V, Flanders SA, et al. The Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC) Ann Intern Med. 2015 Sep 15;163(6 Suppl):S1-40. PMID: 26369828. https://doi.org/10.7326/m15-0744
  6. National Kidney Foundation. Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.kidney.org/professionals/guidelines/guidelines_commentaries/vascular-access https://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(19)31137-0/fulltext
  7. World Health Organization. Guidelines for the prevention of bloodstream infections and other infections associated with the use of intravascular catheters Part I: Peripheral catheters. 2024. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240093829

Paid/Subscription

  1. Infusion Nurses Society. Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice. 2024 https://www.ins1.org/publications/infusion-therapy-standards-of-practice/
  2. Buter, J., Steele,K.T., Chung, K.C., & Elzinga, K. (2023). Extravasation injury from cytotoxic and other noncytotoxic vesicants in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/extravasation-injury-from-cytotoxic-and-other-noncytotoxic-vesicants-in-adults#H947740710

Reviews

Open Access

  1. Griffith RJ, Jordan V, Herd D, Reed PW, Dalziel SR. Vapocoolants (cold spray) for pain treatment during intravenous cannulation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd009484.pub2
  2. Jon A. Bell, Michelle Hawes, Emily Diloreto, S. Matthew Gibson; Systematic Review of the Safety and Efficacy of Central Vascular Access Device Securement. Journal of the Association for Vascular Access 1 September 2022; 27 (3): 15–35. https://doi.org/10.2309/JAVA-D-22-00013
  3. Marsh N, Webster J, Mihala G, Rickard CM. Devices and dressings to secure peripheral venous catheters to prevent complications. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015;2015(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009740.pub3
  4. Reddy VK, Lavoie MC, Verbeek JH, Pahwa M. Devices for preventing percutaneous exposure injuries caused by needles in healthcare personnel. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017(17):11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6491125/
  5. Tada M, Yamada N, et al. Ultrasound guidance versus landmark method for peripheral venous cannulation in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2022;12(12):CD013434. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013434.pub2

Paid/Subscription

  1. Central venous access: Device and site selection in adults – UpToDate https://www.uptodate.com/contents/central-venous-access-device-and-site-selection-in-adults#
  2. Ann Wang, Ariel Hendin, et al. Better With Ultrasound: Arterial Line Placement, Chest, Volume 157, Issue 3, 2020, Pages 574-579, ISSN 0012-3692, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2019.08.2209 . (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012369219340255)

Textbook

Open Access

  1. Moreau, Nancy. Vessel Health and Preservation: The Right Approach for Vascular Access, 2019, Springer. Retrieved from: www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030031480

Paid

  1. Weinstein SM, Hagle ME. Plumer’s principles & practice of intravenous therapy, 9th Edition, 2024; Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/ovid/plumers-principles-and-practice-of-infusion-therapy-820