A nurse is attending to a client in active labor and observes late decelerations on the fetal monitor.
What should be the nurse’s priority action?

Choice A rationale
Preeclampsia is a condition that can occur during pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the liver and kidneys. If a patient is experiencing preeclampsia, the nurse should initiate seizure precautions, as seizures can occur in severe cases. The nurse should also monitor the patient’s neurological status and liver function studies, as these can be affected by preeclampsia.
Choice B rationale
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can occur during pregnancy, but the actions listed do not fully address the condition. While bed rest was once commonly recommended for high blood pressure during pregnancy, research has not shown it to be effective. Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate is important, but other interventions, such as medication, may also be necessary.
Choice C rationale
Gestational diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. Insulin may be administered to help control blood glucose levels. The nurse should monitor blood glucose levels and fetal heart rate, as gestational diabetes can affect both the mother and the baby. However, the condition the patient is most likely experiencing, given the gestational age and symptoms, is preeclampsia.
Choice D rationale
Preterm labor refers to labor that begins before the 37th week of pregnancy. Tocolytics may be administered to slow or stop contractions. The nurse should monitor the contraction pattern and cervical dilation to assess for progression of labor. However, the condition the patient is most likely experiencing, given the gestational age and symptoms, is preeclampsia.

Choice A rationale
The umbilical cord typically contains two arteries and one vein, not one artery and one vein. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta, while the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.
Choice B rationale
The umbilical cord typically contains two arteries and one vein, not two veins and one artery. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta, while the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.
Choice C rationale
The umbilical cord typically contains two arteries and one vein, not two arteries and two veins. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta, while the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.
Choice D rationale
The umbilical cord typically contains two arteries and one vein. The umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated blood from the fetus to the placenta, while the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus.