What type of venous access is described by lines such as internal jugular, subclavian, and femoral?

• A. Arterial Lines
• B. Central Lines
• C. Venous Lines
• D. PICC Lines

Answer: (B)

Lines placed in the internal jugular, subclavian, and femoral veins are central venous access lines. These catheters enter large central veins and have their tips sit in the central venous circulation, usually in the superior or inferior vena cava near the right atrium. They’re chosen when you need rapid, large-volume administration, vasopressor therapy, or long-term access for monitoring central venous pressure or delivering irritant medications and total parenteral nutrition. This sets them apart from arterial lines, which access arteries for blood pressure monitoring and sampling, and from peripheral or PICC lines, which either stay in smaller peripheral veins or, in the case of PICCs, extend from a peripheral entry point but still terminate in the central venous system. Central lines do carry specific risks, such as pneumothorax with neck vessel cannulation and infection at the catheter site, which is why site choice and technique are important.