A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate for pre-term labor.

Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the medication?

Assess the client’s vital signs.

The nurse should first assess the client’s vital signs to determine the severity of the situation and identify any signs of infection, bleeding, or shock.

The nurse should also monitor the fetal heart rate to assess fetal well-being.

Choice B is wrong because a sterile vaginal exam is not indicated for a client who reports lower abdominal cramping and may increase the risk of infection or rupture of membranes.

Choice C is wrong because administering tocolytic medication is not the first action the nurse should take.

Tocolytic medication may be used to inhibit uterine contractions and prolong pregnancy, but only after assessing the client’s and fetus’s condition and obtaining a prescription from the provider.

Choice D is wrong because monitoring the fetal heart rate is not the first action the nurse should take.

Monitoring the fetal heart rate is important to assess fetal well-being, but it does not take priority over assessing the client’s vital signs.

Encouraging the parents to touch and talk to the infant through the incubator ports can promote bonding between the infant and the parents.Bonding is the intense attachment that develops between parents and their baby, and it is essential for the baby’s social and cognitive development.Touch and communication are some of the ways that babies bond with their parents.

Choice B is wrong because limiting the parents’ visitation time can disrupt the bonding process and make the parents feel less involved in their baby’s care.

Choice C is wrong because eye contact is another way of bonding with babies, and it can help them feel secure and loved.

Choice D is wrong because holding and feeding the infant are also important ways of bonding, and they should not be restricted unless medically necessary.