A universal gripping surface is provided on an intravenous catheter assembly(10). The universal gripping surfaceprovides a plurality of surfaces (32, 34, 22, 24, 26, 52, 54, 152) whereby auser may grip the catheter assembly (10) in a desiredgripping configuration for improved balance and control of the catheterassembly (10) during insertion of the catheter. Additionally,the universal gripping surface includes a guard feature to prevent a user'sunintended contact with various components of thecatheter assembly (10) whereby the contact may result in an undesirable "overthe bevel" condition.
