Which examination uses a lighted instrument to view the interior surface of the urethra and bladder?

The examination that uses a lighted instrument to view the interior surface of the urethra and bladder is cystoscopy. During this procedure, a cystoscope, which is a thin tube equipped with a camera and light, is inserted into the urethra and advanced into the bladder. This allows for a direct visual examination of the bladder lining and urethra, making it a valuable diagnostic tool for detecting abnormalities such as tumors, stones, or inflammation.

The use of the lighted instrument is crucial for providing clear images, enabling healthcare providers to diagnose conditions accurately or even perform biopsies if necessary. Cystoscopy can also aid in therapeutic procedures, such as removing stones or lesions, which further demonstrates its significance in urological evaluations.

In contrast, the other options do not involve direct visual examination of the urethra and bladder using lighted instruments. Dialysis pertains to a treatment for kidney failure, catheterization typically refers to the placement of a catheter for various medical purposes without necessarily involving direct visual examination, and ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses sound waves rather than light to visualize organs and structures in the body. Each of these methods serves distinct purposes in medical practice, but none provide the direct visualization that cystoscopy does.