[The choice of a peripheral access catheter]

The administration of liquids, electrolytes and pharmaceutical products by intravenous means is considered to be the most rapid, effective therapy which provides the best effects in patients who require hospital care which justifies this method being a method frequently chosen for the majority of patients checked into hospital care. The choice of peripheral catheter makes it possible to achieve, in an easy and relatively bloodless manner, venous access for short or medium duration treatment with a low risk of serious complications. Due to the nurse's responsibility when a catheter is installed, and the treatment when applying and the follow up necessary for endovenous therapy, we deduce the importance to correctly evaluate the necessities, advantages and inconveniences of each type of these devices and systems at the time nurses decide which catheter should be used on a patient. The criteria used to select a peripheral catheter are basically determined by a patient's age, the quality and calibre of the access veins, the objective of their use, the foreseen time for their use, the aggressiveness of the solutions which will be passed through the catheter, and the characteristics of the catheter itself.