A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and assists the provider who performs an amniotomy. Which of the following is the priority action by the nurse following the procedure?

A. Immediately report the situation to the client's provider and prepare the client for induction of labor.This option is premature. The absence of fetal movement for 15 minutes during a nonstress test does not immediately indicate a need for induction of labor. Other less invasive interventions should be attempted first to stimulate fetal movement.

B. Encourage the client to walk around without the monitoring unit for 10 min, then resume monitoring. While movement can sometimes stimulate fetal activity, removing the monitoring unit is not advisable during a nonstress test. Continuous monitoring is essential to accurately assess the fetal heart rate and movement.

C. Turn the client onto her left side.This position can improve uteroplacental blood flow and may help stimulate fetal movement. However, it is not the most effective initial intervention compared to offering a snack, which can provide a quicker response.

D. Offer the client a snack of orange juice and crackers.This is the correct intervention. The sugar in the orange juice can provide a quick source of energy to the fetus, potentially stimulating movement. Additionally, the act of eating can sometimes prompt fetal activity.

A) Administer oxygen using a nonrebreather mask: While oxygen may be necessary if there are signs of fetal distress, the priority action in this situation is to reposition the client and relieve potential cord compression.
B) Elevate the client's legs: Elevating the client's legs is not the most appropriate action in this situation and may not address the cause of the decelerations.
C) Place the client in the lateral position: This is the correct answer. The described pattern of the fetal heart rate (slowdown after the start of a contraction with the lowest rate occurring after the peak of the contraction) suggests late decelerations, which are often caused by uteroplacental
insufficiency or cord compression. Placing the client in the lateral position can help alleviate potential compression of the umbilical cord and improve fetal oxygenation.
D) Increase the rate of maintenance IV infusion: Increasing the IV infusion rate may not be the most appropriate action for late decelerations. Repositioning the client is the priority in this situation.