Before applying a cord clamp, the nurse assesses the umbilical cord. The mother asks why the nurse is doing this. The nurse should reply, "I'm checking the blood vessels in the cord to see whether it has:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The umbilical cord normally has two arteries and one vein. This is important information for the nurse to know before applying a cord clamp. If there is only one artery and one vein, this could indicate a problem with the baby's development and may require further evaluation. If there are two veins and one artery, this is a rare but possible variation that may also require further evaluation.

Before Applying a Cord Clamp, the Nurse Assesses the Umbilical