In the Seldinger technique, what step comes immediately after the guidewire is positioned in the vessel lumen?

• A. Remove the needle
• B. Advance the dilator and sheath over the guidewire
• C. Make a small skin incision
• D. Secure the sheath and access

Answer: (A)

The guiding idea is that the wire provides a secure path into the vessel, and the needle has already served its purpose of accessing the lumen. Once the wire is in place, you remove the introducer needle so the wire can stay in place without obstruction. Keeping the needle would block or hinder the next step, which is to advance a dilator and sheath over the guidewire to widen the tract and establish a stable access channel. Removing the needle immediately after the wire is positioned preserves the wire’s position and prepares for safe advancement of the dilator and sheath.