Intravenous access. Part 3. Venous access devices

The nursing care of the whole patient, not just the venous access device, should be the focus of the nurse. Venous access devices provide the nurse with the rare opportunity to have assured venous access for blood sampling as well as the administration of intravenous therapies. The meticulous care of venous access devices is essential if complications are to be avoided and their primary function maintained.