What is a critical step when caring for a patient with a central venous catheter?

Maintaining sterile technique during access is essential when caring for a patient with a central venous catheter. This practice significantly reduces the risk of infection, which is one of the most serious complications associated with central venous catheters. A sterile technique ensures that any organisms that could cause infection are kept away from the catheter insertion site and the catheter itself during procedures such as medication administration or blood sampling.

Implementing strict sterile techniques involves using sterile gloves, proper disinfection of the catheter hub, and ensuring that no non-sterile objects come into contact with the catheter or the site. This level of care is crucial because central venous catheters are inserted into large veins and can allow direct access to the bloodstream, making any pathogens that enter potentially life-threatening.

The other options present practices that do not prioritize infection control. For instance, regularly changing the catheter site might lead to increased risk rather than ensuring the integrity of the current site. Administering medications through non-sterile techniques blatantly disregards infection prevention protocols. Using a competitive nurse to manage access is not a standard practice and does not address the critical need for adherence to sterile techniques. Thus, focusing on sterile technique is paramount in safeguarding the patient’s health when managing a central venous