Which statement best describes who may remove CVADs?

• A. Removal is done according to institution policy and nurse's scope of practice.
• B. Removal is restricted to physicians only.
• C. Patients may remove CVADs with supervision.
• D. Removal is never performed by nurses.

Answer: (A)

Removing a central venous access device is governed by what the facility allows and the clinician’s authorized scope of practice. In real-world care, who can remove a CVAD isn’t fixed to one profession—it depends on the institution’s policies and the clinician’s training and authorization. This ensures the removal is done safely, with proper assessment, technique, and patient monitoring. The idea that only physicians can remove CVADs or that patients should remove them under supervision isn’t consistent with standard practice in many settings, and the notion that nurses never remove CVADs also doesn’t fit with how policies and scopes are designed to allow trained nurses to perform this task when appropriate.