What is the primary purpose of a catheter?

• A. To monitor heart rhythm
• B. To deliver oxygen
• C. To drain urine from the bladder
• D. To drain fluids or inject fluids

Answer: (D)

A catheter is a tube placed into the body to move fluids in or out. Its main purpose is to drain fluids or to introduce fluids (such as medications or contrast) into a body area or vessel. That broad function covers the common urinary drainage use, but it also includes other drainage or administration tasks throughout the body. Delivering oxygen uses a respiratory device, not a catheter, and monitoring heart rhythm is done with ECG equipment. So the best description of a catheter’s primary purpose is to drain fluids or inject fluids.