A nurse is caring for a client who is in active labor with 7 cm of cervical dilation and 100% effacement. The fetus is at 1+ station, and the client's amniotic membranes are intact. The client suddenly states that she needs to push. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason:

Occasional uterine cramping when the infant nurses is a normal phenomenon that occurs as the uterus contracts and returns to its pre-pregnancy size. This is not a sign of infection or complication and does not need to be reported.

Choice B reason:

Descent of the fundus one fingerbreadth each day is also a normal finding that indicates the uterus is involuting properly. The fundus is the top of the uterus that can be felt through the abdomen. It should be at the level of the umbilicus immediately after delivery and then descend about one fingerbreadth (or 1 cm) each day until it reaches the pelvic brim by 10 days postpartum.

Choice C reason:

Reappearance of red lochia after it changes to serous is an abnormal sign that may indicate uterine atony, subinvolution, or retained placental fragments. Lochia is the vaginal discharge that occurs after childbirth, consisting of blood, mucus, and tissue. It usually changes from red to pink to brown to yellow-white over a period of several weeks. If it becomes red again, it may mean that there is bleeding from the uterus or infection in the endometrium. This should be reported to a health care provider as soon as possible.

Choice D reason:

Oral temperature that is 37.2 C (99 F) in the morning is within the normal range and does not indicate fever or infection. A slight elevation in temperature may occur due to dehydration, breast engorgement, or hormonal changes. This does not need to be reported unless it exceeds 38 C (100.4 F) or persists for more than 24 hours.

A. The woman had a vacuum-assisted birth. While vacuum-assisted births can cause perineal trauma, the specific orders for ice packs, sitz baths, and stool softeners are more directly related to an episiotomy, which involves a surgical incision that requires careful postpartum care.

B. The woman is a gravida 2, para 2. This information indicates the woman's obstetric history but does not directly correlate with the need for perineal ice packs, sitz baths, and stool softeners. These orders are more specific to perineal trauma or surgical intervention.

C. The woman has an episiotomy. An episiotomy involves a surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth, which can cause significant perineal pain and swelling. The orders for perineal ice packs, sitz baths, and stool softeners are intended to manage pain, reduce swelling, and prevent constipation, which can be particularly uncomfortable with perineal stitches.

D. The woman received epidural anesthesia. While epidural anesthesia is a common pain management technique during labor, it does not necessitate the use of perineal ice packs, sitz baths, or stool softeners postpartum. These orders are more indicative of perineal trauma or surgical intervention such as an episiotomy.