What is a catheter?

• A. A device used to monitor brain activity
• B. A guidewire inserted into a duct for imaging
• C. A rubber plastic metal or glass tube used to remove or inject fluids into a person
• D. An instrument inserted into a vein for blood collection only

Answer: (C)

A catheter is a flexible tube that is inserted into the body to remove or inject fluids. It can be made from materials like rubber, plastic, metal, or glass and is used in a wide range of situations, such as draining urine, delivering medications or contrast dye, draining fluid collections, or providing repeated or continuous access for treatment.

Other options don’t fit because brain activity monitoring uses EEG leads, not a tube inserted into the body; a guidewire is a slender wire used to guide other instruments, not the tube itself; and a device described as for blood collection only doesn’t capture the broad access catheter provides for fluids and ongoing procedures.