A nurse is caring for a client who presents to a labor and delivery unit experiencing rapidly progressing labor. Which of the following is the priority action for the nurse to take?

The correct answer is C.

A. Calcium: While calcium is important for bone health, it is not specifically increased during early pregnancy. Adequate calcium intake is important throughout pregnancy, but the focus on increased intake typically occurs later in pregnancy to support fetal bone development.

B. Vitamin E: Vitamin E is important for overall health, but there is not a specific emphasis on increasing vitamin E intake in the early stages of pregnancy. It is generally included as part of a balanced diet.

C. Iron: This is the correct answer. Iron needs increase during pregnancy to support the increased blood volume and prevent iron-deficiency anemia. Adequate iron is crucial for the transport of oxygen to the developing fetus.

D. Vitamin D: While vitamin D is important for bone health and immune function, its increase is not specific to the early stages of pregnancy. Adequate vitamin D intake is essential throughout pregnancy, but it is not singled out as needing a significant increase at 8 weeks of gestation.

The correct answer is D.

A. Maintain the client NPO throughout the procedure: It is not necessary to maintain the client NPO (nothing by mouth) for a nonstress test. The test primarily involves monitoring fetal heart rate in response to the baby's movements and does not require fasting.

B. Place the client in a supine position: Placing the client in a left lateral position is often preferred for NST to optimize uterine blood flow and fetal oxygenation. The supine position can compromise blood flow to the uterus and is generally avoided, especially in later pregnancy.

C. Instruct the client to massage the abdomen to stimulate fetal movement: While the goal of the NST is to monitor fetal movements, instructing the client to actively stimulate fetal movement through abdominal massage is not a standard part of the procedure. Fetal movements should occur naturally.

D. Instruct the client to press the provided button each time fetal movement is detected: This is the correct action. During a nonstress test, the client is typically provided with a button to press whenever she feels fetal movement. This helps correlate fetal movements with changes in the fetal heart rate on the monitor, providing valuable information about the baby's well-being.