What is the recommended care for the cord in the event of a prolapsed cord?

In the event of a prolapsed umbilical cord, the immediate nursing intervention is crucial for preventing fetal hypoxia. Covering the cord in moist saline is the correct approach because it helps to prevent the cord from drying out and minimizes the risk of vasoconstriction and further compromise of blood flow to the fetus. By keeping the cord moist, the chance of increased damage due to compression is reduced, and it helps maintain perfusion to the fetal circulation as the situation is addressed.

It is important to position the patient in a way that alleviates pressure on the cord, typically by using a knee-chest position or tilting the mother to the left. While other interventions may seem plausible, they do not prioritize the protection of the prolapsed cord in the same effective manner. Covering the cord with a dry cloth might allow it to dry out and become damaged, doing nothing inherently dismisses the urgent nature of the scenario, and applying ice would be inappropriate as it could lead to vasoconstriction and further harm to the fetal blood supply. Thus, moist saline keeps the cord viable while preparing for further interventions.