The correct answer is choice A. The nurse should clamp and cut the newborn’s umbilical cord within 1 to 3 minutes after birth. This is because delaying the cord clamping for longer than 3 minutes may increase the risk of jaundice in the baby.

Jaundice is a condition where the skin and eyes turn yellow due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood.

Bilirubin is a waste product that is normally removed by the liver, but in newborns, the liver may not be fully developed yet.

Choice B is wrong because waiting for 5 to 10 minutes after birth to clamp and cut the cord may not have any significant benefits for the baby compared to clamping within 1 to 3 minutes. Choice C is wrong because waiting for 15 to 20 seconds after birth to clamp and cut the cord is too early and may deprive the baby of some blood, oxygen, and nutrients that are still flowing from the placenta. Choice D is wrong because waiting for 30 to 45 minutes after birth to clamp and cut the cord is too late and may expose the baby to infection or bleeding from the cord.

The umbilical cord is a vital connection between the baby and the placenta during pregnancy and delivery.

It delivers oxygen and nutrients to the baby and removes waste products from the baby’s blood.

After birth, the cord continues to function for a few minutes until it stops pulsing. The optimal time to clamp and cut the cord depends on various factors, such as the baby’s gestational age, health condition, and risk of jaundice.