Final answer:
A tunneled catheter may be left undressed upon complete healing of the insertion site with no signs of infection, given the individual is educated about proper care and hygiene.
Step-by-step explanation:
Upon physician approval, a tunneled catheter may be maintained without a dressing when the insertion site has completely healed, and there is no sign of infection or irritation. This assumes that the individual has been thoroughly educated on the proper care and hygiene required to maintain the catheter without a dressing, and will take appropriate action should any signs of infection or complications arise. A tunneled catheter, typically used for the administration of chemotherapy or other long-term medications, requires diligent monitoring and care to prevent potential complications such as catheter-related bloodstream infections, which can be serious and even life-threatening, as indicated by the yearly statistics of infections and related deaths in the US.