Question

A nurse is caring for a newborn. How many blood vessels should the nurse expect to observe in the newborn umbilical cord?

A. One artery and one vein
Rationale: This is not the correct number of veins and arteries.
B. Two arteries and one vein
Rationale: The vein carries oxygenated blood to the fetus, and the two arteries carries unoxygenated blood back to the placenta.
C. Two veins and one artery
Rationale: This is not the correct number of veins and arteries.
D. Two arteries and two veins
Rationale: This is not the correct number of veins and arteries.

Answer 1

The nurse should expect to observe one artery and one vein in the newborn umbilical cord.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should expect to observe one artery and one vein in the newborn umbilical cord. The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta, and it contains two arteries and one vein. The vein carries oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the fetal heart, while the arteries carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the placenta.