Name two signs that would prompt immediate action if a prolapsed umbilical cord is suspected.

Name two signs that would prompt immediate action if a prolapsed umbilical cord is suspected.

• A. Visible cord at the vagina and fetal distress
• B. Backache and cramping
• C. Vaginal bleeding without cord seen
• D. Maternal fever

Answer: (A)

Prolapsed umbilical cord is an obstetric emergency because the cord can be compressed by the presenting part, cutting off oxygen to the fetus. The signs that would prompt immediate action are seeing the umbilical cord exposed at the vaginal opening and evidence of fetal distress on monitoring. The cord visible at the vagina shows a direct risk of compression, and fetal distress confirms the fetus is not tolerating the situation. Other options don’t specifically indicate this compression risk; backache and cramping can occur in labor, vaginal bleeding without the cord seen could be due to placental issues, and maternal fever points to infection rather than acute cord compression.

Prolapsed umbilical cord is an obstetric emergency because the cord can be compressed by the presenting part, cutting off oxygen to the fetus. The signs that would prompt immediate action are seeing the umbilical cord exposed at the vaginal opening and evidence of fetal distress on monitoring. The cord visible at the vagina shows a direct risk of compression, and fetal distress confirms the fetus is not tolerating the situation. Other options don’t specifically indicate this compression risk; backache and cramping can occur in labor, vaginal bleeding without the cord seen could be due to placental issues, and maternal fever points to infection rather than acute cord compression.