Final answer:
The correct statement for the nursing student to include in the prenatal class about fetal circulation is that 'Two umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood and waste products away from the fetus to the placenta.' This reflects the unique physiology of the fetal circulatory system, wherein the placenta serves as a site for nutrient and gas exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
When preparing to teach a prenatal class about fetal circulation, the nursing student should include the statement: "Two umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood and waste products away from the fetus to the placenta." This accurately reflects the physiology of prenatal circulation, where one umbilical vein carries oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus, while the two umbilical arteries transport the oxygen-depleted and waste-laden blood from the fetus back to the placenta for purification and oxygenation before being sent back to the fetus.
The placenta plays a critical role as it liaises between the maternal and fetal circulation. It allows for the exchange of gases and nutrients, facilitating a unique form of circulation characteristic of a developing embryo or fetus. Understanding the distinction between umbilical arteries and veins, and their respective functions, is crucial to grasping the essentials of prenatal circulatory mechanics.