Which statement about central lines is accurate?

• A. Central lines are placed via the subclavian vein and have no infection risk.
• B. They cannot have multiple lumens.
• C. They are associated with infection risk and may have multiple lumens.
• D. They are used only for short-term therapy.

Answer: (C)

Central venous access devices carry a real infection risk and are designed to support one or more lumens to accommodate multiple therapies at once. Because these catheters reside directly in the central venous system, they can introduce skin flora or other pathogens into the bloodstream, so strict aseptic care and monitoring are essential. At the same time, many central lines are multimodal in use; they come with one, two, or three lumens, allowing simultaneous administration of incompatible medications, fluids, and nutrition.

These points mean the statement that central lines are associated with infection risk and may have multiple lumens is accurate. They’re not limited to a single site like the subclavian vein, they’re not restricted to short-term use, and the presence of multiple lumens is a common and practical feature.