A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is in labour and has an external electronic fetal monitor. The nurse observes that the fetal heart rate begins to decelerate after the contraction has started, with the lowest point of the deceleration occurring after the peak of the contraction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A rationale:

The nurse should schedule a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for the client because the blood glucose levels taken 1 hour following a meal are higher than the expected range for gestational diabetes. This test will help to diagnose and assess the client's glucose tolerance and determine if there is gestational diabetes or any other potential glucose regulation issues.

Choice B rationale:

Increasing carbohydrates to 65% of daily nutritional intake is not the appropriate action in this situation. It may lead to further elevation of blood glucose levels, which can be detrimental for a client with gestational diabetes. The goal is to manage blood glucose levels and prevent complications, so recommending a higher carbohydrate intake would be counterproductive.

Choice C rationale:

Obtaining an HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) is not the most suitable action in this scenario. HbA1c provides an average of the blood glucose levels over the past few months, which is more helpful for diagnosing and monitoring chronic diabetes, rather than gestational diabetes, which is temporary and occurs during pregnancy. An OGTT is a more appropriate test for gestational diabetes assessment.

Choice D rationale:

Reinforcing instruction about insulin administration is not warranted at this point since there is no information indicating that the client is currently on insulin therapy. Additionally, using insulin as the first step in the management of gestational diabetes is not common practice. Lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and other measures are usually attempted first.

Choice A rationale:

A fetal heart rate of 100/min for a 10-minute period is considered within the normal range. The normal fetal heart rate can range from 110 to 160 beats per minute, and a rate of 100 is not concerning.

Choice B rationale:

The resting period of a contraction refers to the time between contractions when the uterus is relaxed. A resting period of 35 seconds is also considered normal. In labor, the resting period between contractions allows the placenta to receive oxygen and nutrients, and 35 seconds is a rationaleable duration.

Choice C rationale:

A contraction lasting 85 seconds is abnormal and should be reported to the provider. Normally, contractions last around 60-90 seconds, but an 85-second contraction may indicate uterine hyperactivity or other issues that could potentially affect the well-being of both the mother and the baby.

Choice D rationale:

Having four contractions in a 10-minute period is considered normal during labor. In fact, an average pattern includes 3-5 contractions within a 10-minute window, so this finding is not a cause for concern.