A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is in labor with ruptured membranes and has herpes simplex virus with active lesions.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The nurse should begin discharge planning upon the client’s admission. This is because discharge planning is a key aspect of effective care that reduces the length of stay, emergency readmissions and pressure on hospital beds. Discharge planning involves considering what support might be required by the client in the community, referring the client to these services, and liaising with these services to manage the client’s discharge.

Choice A is wrong because the nurse is not responsible for providing a written prescription for a client home care referral. This is the role of the provider or another authorised prescriber.

Choice C is wrong because a home hazard appraisal does not include an assessment of the client’s financial resources. A home hazard appraisal is an evaluation of the safety and accessibility of the client’s home environment.

Choice D is wrong because a medication reconciliation is not required 24 hours prior to the client’s discharge. A medication reconciliation is a process of comparing the medications a client is taking with those prescribed for them to avoid errors or discrepancies. A medication reconciliation should be done at every transition of care, including admission, transfer and discharge.

Choice A reason:

The Bradley method teaches the labor partner how to coach and support the mother during labor. This is true because the Bradley method emphasizes the role of the partner as an active participant and a skilled coach who can help the mother relax, breathe, and cope with pain during labor. The partner also serves as an advocate for the mother's preferences and needs in the hospital setting.

Choice B reason:

The Bradley method teaches the mother and partner about the variety of methods to control pain. This is false because the Bradley method does not teach a variety of methods to control pain, but rather focuses on relaxation as the main way to reduce pain during labor. The Bradley method also discourages the use of medication or medical interventions for pain relief, unless they are medically necessary.

Choice C reason:

The Bradley method prepares the woman to deliver without medical interventions and medications. This is true because the Bradley method aims to help women have an unmedicated birth with minimal medical intervention. The Bradley method teaches women how to avoid unnecessary interventions and how to cope with natural labor by using relaxation, breathing, nutrition, and exercise. The Bradley method also educates women on how to reduce their risk of having a C-section and what to do if it becomes medically necessary.

Choice D reason:

The Bradley method focuses on muscle control because muscle tension increases the pain of labor. This is false because the Bradley method does not focus on muscle control, but rather on deep and complete relaxation during labor. The Bradley method believes that muscle tension interferes with the natural process of labor and increases pain, so it teaches women how to relax their muscles and let their bodies do the work.

Choice E reason:

The Bradley method is the most widely used method in the US. This is false because the Bradley method is not the most widely used method in the US, but rather one of several options for natural childbirth. According to a 2017 survey by Listening to Mothers, only 4% of women reported using the Bradley method for their most recent birth, compared to 48% who used Lamaze, 14% who used hypnobirthing, and 9% who used other methods.