An intravenous catheter device is provided which includes a catheter adapter having a fluid chamber, a needle adapter being slidably positioned within the fluid chamber, the needle adapter supporting a base of an introducer needle and a terminal end of a section of intravenous tubing such that a fluid pathway of the introducer needle is in fluid communication with a fluid pathway of the section of intravenous tubing. Following catheterization, the needle adapter is slid to a preferred proximal position whereby a sharpened tip of the introducer needle is shielded within a catheter of the intravenous catheter device, or a portion of the fluid chamber of the catheter adapter. When in the preferred proximal position, fluid communication between the catheter and a section of intravenous tubing is facilitated via the hollow body of the introducer needle.