Which statement about central venous catheters is true?

Which statement about central venous catheters is true?

• A. They are placed via the subclavian vein.
• B. They carry infection risk and may have multiple lumens.
• C. They require no sterile technique.
• D. They cannot be used for parenteral nutrition.

Answer: (B)

Central venous catheters provide direct access to the central venous system for delivering medications, fluids, blood products, or nutrition. Because they open a route straight into the bloodstream and are accessed and manipulated through multiple hubs, there is a tangible risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection. These devices also come in single-lumen or multi-lumen designs; multi-lumen catheters allow administering several therapies that might be incompatible if mixed in the same line or to separate parenteral nutrition from other infusions. This combination of infection risk and the presence of multiple lumens is why this statement is true. It’s also helpful to remember that placement sites vary (subclavian is possible but not the only option), sterile technique is essential for both insertion and ongoing care, and central lines are commonly used for parenteral nutrition.

Central venous catheters provide direct access to the central venous system for delivering medications, fluids, blood products, or nutrition. Because they open a route straight into the bloodstream and are accessed and manipulated through multiple hubs, there is a tangible risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection. These devices also come in single-lumen or multi-lumen designs; multi-lumen catheters allow administering several therapies that might be incompatible if mixed in the same line or to separate parenteral nutrition from other infusions. This combination of infection risk and the presence of multiple lumens is why this statement is true. It’s also helpful to remember that placement sites vary (subclavian is possible but not the only option), sterile technique is essential for both insertion and ongoing care, and central lines are commonly used for parenteral nutrition.