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

Choice A rationale Washing the cord daily with soap and water is not the current recommendation for routine cord care. Excessive handling and moisture can increase the risk of infection and delay drying and separation. Current evidence-based practice supports keeping the cord clean and dry without routine soap or alcohol application, promoting an air-exposed, natural healing process. Choice B rationale The cord should not be covered with a diaper, as this can trap moisture, promote bacterial growth, and delay the natural drying process, which should be the primary goal of cord care. The diaper should be folded down below the stump to allow for air circulation and reduce friction and contamination from urine or feces. Choice C rationale Applying petroleum jelly to the cord stump is not recommended as it keeps the cord moist, which can impede the natural mummification and drying process required for the stump to fall off, typically within 10 to 14 days. The goal of cord care is to keep the area clean and dry to facilitate air exposure and separation. Choice D rationale Giving a sponge bath is recommended until the umbilical cord stump has completely fallen off and the site is healed. Submerging the stump in bath water before separation can increase the risk of infection, as the moist environment is conducive to bacterial growth and delays the necessary drying and separation process.