Which of the following is a typical use of a central venous catheter?

• A. To perform peripheral venous pressure monitoring
• B. To place a nasogastric tube
• C. For central venous pressure monitoring
• D. For subcutaneous insulin administration

Answer: (C)

Central venous catheters provide reliable access to large central veins for monitoring and delivering therapies that require central access. A typical use is central venous pressure monitoring, which involves connecting the catheter to a pressure transducer to measure the pressure in the right atrium or superior vena cava. This measurement helps estimate a patient’s fluid status and cardiac preload, guiding fluid management and vasopressor therapy in seriously ill patients.

The other options don’t fit because measuring venous pressure via a central line isn’t done with peripheral IV access, a nasogastric tube is placed through the nose to the stomach, and insulin is given by subcutaneous injection rather than through a central venous catheter.