Regarding care of the cord which statement is incorrect?

UPPSC 2022

Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2022

Explanation

A normal umbilical cord contains three blood vessels, not two, making this statement factually incorrect.
The standard anatomy consists of two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein, often remembered by the mnemonic AVA (Artery-Vein-Artery).
The two umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood and waste products away from the fetus to the placenta.
The single umbilical vein carries oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus.

Option A: This statement is correct. The cord is clamped or tied in two locations before cutting to prevent hemorrhage from both the infant and the placental end of the cord.
Option B: This statement is correct. The first tie is placed approximately 2.5 cm (about 1 inch) from the infant's abdomen to leave an adequate stump for healing and to prevent accidental injury to the abdominal wall.
Option C: This statement describes a correct and common practice. A second tie is placed about 5 cm away from the first one (towards the placenta) to create a blood-free section of the cord that can be safely cut.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Umbilical cord anatomy and immediate postnatal care procedures helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must inspect the cord stump immediately after it is cut to confirm the presence of three vessels (AVA).
A two-vessel cord (single umbilical artery) is a soft marker for congenital anomalies, particularly renal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal defects. Its presence should be documented and communicated to the healthcare team for further evaluation of the newborn.
What if? If a nurse identifies a two-vessel cord, the immediate action is to perform a thorough physical assessment of the newborn, looking for any other dysmorphic features or signs of internal anomalies, and ensure the pediatrician is aware of the finding for potential further diagnostic workup, such as a renal ultrasound.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the negative framing of the question. You are looking for the statement that is FALSE.
Systematically evaluate each option based on your knowledge of standard obstetric and neonatal procedures.
Recall the standard procedure for clamping and cutting the umbilical cord. This confirms that options A, B, and C describe correct actions.
Recall the basic anatomy of the umbilical cord. A normal cord has three vessels (two arteries, one vein).
Compare this anatomical fact with Option D, which states there are two vessels. This is a direct contradiction.
Conclude that Option D is the incorrect statement and therefore the correct answer to the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Umbilical cord anatomy and immediate postnatal care procedures.
Stem keywords: care of the cord, umbilical cord
Lead-in keywords: incorrect
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks for the INCORRECT statement, requiring identification of the false option among true statements.

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