What is the immediate nursing action when a prolapsed umbilical cord is suspected?

What is the immediate nursing action when a prolapsed umbilical cord is suspected?

• A. Elevate the presenting part and call for immediate assistance
• B. Push the cord back into the uterus
• C. Administer tocolytics to delay labor
• D. Ignore and monitor

Answer: (A)

When a prolapsed umbilical cord is suspected, the priority is to relieve pressure on the cord to preserve fetal oxygenation and expedite delivery. The best immediate action is to elevate the presenting part to lessen cord compression and summon help right away. If the cord is visible, keep it moist with sterile saline–moistened gauze to prevent drying, and avoid pushing the cord back into the uterus, which can cut off blood flow. Positioning the patient with hips elevated (often knee–chest or Trendelenburg) helps relieve pressure while preparing for urgent delivery. Ignoring or delaying action is unsafe, and attempting to push the cord back in or delaying delivery with tocolytics is not appropriate as an immediate response.

When a prolapsed umbilical cord is suspected, the priority is to relieve pressure on the cord to preserve fetal oxygenation and expedite delivery. The best immediate action is to elevate the presenting part to lessen cord compression and summon help right away. If the cord is visible, keep it moist with sterile saline–moistened gauze to prevent drying, and avoid pushing the cord back into the uterus, which can cut off blood flow. Positioning the patient with hips elevated (often knee–chest or Trendelenburg) helps relieve pressure while preparing for urgent delivery. Ignoring or delaying action is unsafe, and attempting to push the cord back in or delaying delivery with tocolytics is not appropriate as an immediate response.