Which statement about arterial lines is true?

• A. Arterial lines provide continuous BP monitoring and reduce the need for repeated arterial punctures
• B. Arterial lines are used to drain CSF
• C. Arterial lines are used to deliver nutrition intravenously
• D. Arterial lines are only for diagnostic imaging

Answer: (A)

Arterial lines are used to provide continuous, beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure monitoring and to obtain arterial blood samples without the need for repeated punctures. By placing a catheter in an artery (usually the radial), connected to a calibrated transducer, clinicians can track rapid BP changes in real time and draw arterial blood for gas analysis as needed. This setup reduces the need for repeated arterial sticks and cuff-based measurements, which can be less accurate and more disruptive in unstable patients or during surgery. The other statements don’t fit: draining CSF is done with a ventriculostomy or lumbar drain, not an arterial line; delivering nutrition intravenously is done via IV lines (often central venous), not arterial; and arterial lines are not used solely for diagnostic imaging.