A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and whose fetus is in the right occiput posterior position. The client is dilated to 8 cm and reports back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is d.

A. Informing the client that the anesthetic effect will last for approximately 6 hours is not the nurse's responsibility. The anesthesia provider usually communicates this information to the client.

B. Administering a 500 mL bolus of 5% dextrose in water prior to induction is the correct action.

Although preloading with a 500–1,000 mL bolus of isotonic crystalloid (e.g., Lactated Ringer’s) is recommended to mitigate hypotension, dextrose‑containing solutions (like D5W) are not used for this preload.

C. Having the client stand at the bedside with her arms at her side is not necessary for the administration of epidural analgesia. The client is usually positioned sitting up or lying on her side during the procedure.

D. Before initiating epidural analgesia, you must establish a baseline fetal heart rate and uterine contraction pattern with at least 20–30 minutes of continuous EFM to ensure fetal well‑being and detect any decelerations or atypical patterns.

A. Contractions that last 45 seconds each with a 3-minute rest between contractions are less common. Typically, contractions last around 60 seconds during active labor.

B. Contractions that last for 60 seconds each with a 3-min rest between contractions is the expected pattern.

During active labor, contractions are commonly around 60 seconds in duration, and they occur approximately every 4-5 minutes.

C. Contractions that last for 60 seconds each with a 4-min rest between contractions are not consistent with the usual pattern of contractions in active labor. A 4-minute rest between contractions would be an extended interval.

D. A contraction that lasts for 4 minutes followed by a period of relaxation is not typical and may indicate a problem. Normal contractions usually last around 60 seconds or less.