Final answer:
The umbilical cord of a newborn consists of 2 arteries and 1 vein. The arteries carry deoxygenated blood away from the fetus, while the vein carries oxygenated blood to the fetus. The correct combination is 2 arteries and 1 vein, with arteries carrying blood away from the fetus (option 3: b and d).
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse who is responsible for examining the umbilical cord of a newborn infant should know that correct answer to the question is: the umbilical cord has 2 arteries and 1 vein, and the umbilical arteries carry blood away from the fetus. Therefore, the correct answers are b. the umbilical cord has 2 arteries and 1 vein and d. umbilical arteries carry blood away from the fetus. This means that the correct choice is option 3: b and d.
Umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated, waste-laden blood from the fetus back to the placenta. In contrast, the single umbilical vein carries oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus. Thus, the umbilical cord is a vital lifeline between the mother and the developing baby, facilitating the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and wastes.