Editing Maternal and Newborn Nursing – LPN Practice Questions (section)

==Question 8==
An LPN reinforces umbilical cord care teaching with new parents. Which statement is correct?
# "Cover the cord with the diaper to keep it from being bumped."
# "Clean the cord with alcohol after every diaper change."
# "Keep the cord clean and dry, and fold the diaper below it."
# "Pull gently on the cord once it begins to loosen."

'''Answer:''' 3 (C). "Keep the cord clean and dry, and fold the diaper below it."

''Rationale:'' Current practice is dry cord care: keep the stump clean and dry, expose it to air, and fold the diaper down so urine does not saturate it. The stump typically detaches in about 7 to 14 days. Option 1 traps moisture and urine against the stump. Option 2 reflects outdated routine alcohol use, which is no longer recommended and can delay separation. Option 4 risks bleeding and infection; the stump is allowed to fall off on its own. Parents should report spreading redness on the abdomen, purulent drainage, foul odor, or fever.