The blood vessels in the umbilical cord consist of?

Appeared in: IGNOU Post B. SC. Nursing entrance-2019

Explanation

The standard anatomy of the human umbilical cord consists of three vessels.
These vessels are specifically two umbilical arteries and one umbilical vein.
The two arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta.
The single vein carries oxygenated and nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus.
This arrangement is crucial for fetal oxygenation, nutrition, and waste removal.

Option A: This option incorrectly reverses the number of arteries and veins. A normal cord has only one vein.
Option B: A normal umbilical cord contains three vessels, not four. The presence of two arteries and two veins is not a recognized anatomical structure in human fetal development.
Option D: This option omits the umbilical vein, which is essential for fetal survival. Without the vein, the fetus would not receive oxygen or nutrients from the placenta.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Anatomy and physiology of the umbilical cord helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A key nursing responsibility in the delivery room is the immediate assessment of the newborn, which includes inspecting the cut umbilical cord to count the number of vessels.
The finding of a two-vessel cord (one artery, one vein), known as a Single Umbilical Artery (SUA), must be documented and communicated to the pediatric team, as it can be a soft marker for other congenital anomalies.
What if? If a nurse identifies a two-vessel cord, the standard of care requires notifying the pediatrician for further evaluation. The infant may undergo additional screening, such as a renal ultrasound, to rule out associated kidney or heart defects.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question testing fundamental knowledge of fetal anatomy.
Identify the core subject of the question: the composition of blood vessels in the umbilical cord.
Recall the standard structure of the umbilical cord from your anatomy and physiology studies.
Remember the mnemonic 'AVA' which stands for 'Artery-Vein-Artery', signifying two arteries and one vein.
Evaluate the options based on this recalled fact. Option C directly matches the 'two arteries and one vein' structure.
Eliminate the other options as they describe incorrect anatomical configurations.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QtFsBcKrpqPY0HNlCWD5Zp

E6 Obstetrics Williams p. 71-95

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 778-780

E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 1 Part 2 p. 59-61

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