Which intervention is crucial for maintaining the integrity of a catheter?

Maintaining the integrity of a catheter is primarily about ensuring that it remains patent and free of occlusions or blockages. Regular flushing with saline is crucial because it prevents clot formation and maintains the flow of medication or fluids through the catheter. This intervention helps to ensure that the catheter does not become obstructed, thereby supporting its overall integrity and functionality.

Frequent flushing helps in removing any potential buildup of debris or blood within the lumen of the catheter, which is essential for preventing complications such as thrombosis or infections. By ensuring continuous patency, the catheter can function as intended throughout its lifespan, thus preserving its integrity.

Other interventions, such as repositioning the catheter, using a particular gauge, or cleaning the insertion site, play supporting roles in successful catheter management but are not as directly tied to maintaining the internal functioning of the catheter itself as regular flushing is.