Which statement about umbilical catheterization is true?

Which statement about umbilical catheterization is true?

• A. The umbilical artery is larger and easier to cannulate than the vein
• B. The umbilical vein allows arterial blood gas measurement
• C. The umbilical artery allows assessment of arterial blood gases and systemic blood pressure
• D. The umbilical vein cannot be used for infusions

Answer: (C)

In neonatal umbilical catheterization, you have two access routes with different uses. An umbilical artery catheter provides arterial access to the systemic circulation, allowing arterial blood gas sampling and direct, continuous measurement of systemic blood pressure. That combination is what makes it the correct statement: it enables assessment of arterial blood gases and systemic arterial blood pressure. By contrast, the umbilical vein is larger and easier to cannulate and is primarily used for fluid and medication infusions and for venous access. It yields venous, not arterial, blood gas information. So claiming that the vein is used for arterial gas measurements or that the artery isn’t suitable for arterial sampling would be incorrect. Likewise, the vein being unable to be used for infusions is not true, since it is routinely used for infusions in neonatal care.

In neonatal umbilical catheterization, you have two access routes with different uses. An umbilical artery catheter provides arterial access to the systemic circulation, allowing arterial blood gas sampling and direct, continuous measurement of systemic blood pressure. That combination is what makes it the correct statement: it enables assessment of arterial blood gases and systemic arterial blood pressure.

By contrast, the umbilical vein is larger and easier to cannulate and is primarily used for fluid and medication infusions and for venous access. It yields venous, not arterial, blood gas information. So claiming that the vein is used for arterial gas measurements or that the artery isn’t suitable for arterial sampling would be incorrect. Likewise, the vein being unable to be used for infusions is not true, since it is routinely used for infusions in neonatal care.