A nurse is teaching a newborn's parent to care for the umbilical cord stump.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?.

The correct answer is choice C.

Choice A rationale:

Keeping the baby’s head covered helps to prevent heat loss, as newborns lose a significant amount of heat through their heads.

Choice B rationale:

Keeping the baby’s bassinet away from fans and air conditioning helps to maintain a stable body temperature.

Choice C rationale:

Newborns’ temperatures are typically checked every 3 to 4 hours, not every hour, and are usually done axillary, not rectally.

Choice D rationale:

Placing the baby on the mother’s stomach and covering her with a warm blanket promotes skin-to-skin contact and helps to maintain the baby’s body temperature.

The correct answer is choice D.

Choice A rationale:

Washing the cord daily with mild soap and water is not recommended as it can delay healing and increase the risk of infection.

Choice B rationale:

Applying petroleum jelly to the cord stump is not recommended as it can create a moist environment that promotes bacterial growth.

Choice C rationale:

The diaper should be folded down to keep the cord stump dry and exposed to air, which promotes healing.

Choice D rationale:

Giving a sponge bath until the cord stump falls off is recommended to keep the area dry and prevent infection.