A nurse is providing teaching about family planning to a client who has a new prescription for a diaphragm. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

The correct answer is B. Turn the client onto her side.

A. Administering oxygen to the client is a reasonable intervention in the presence of late decelerations, but turning the client onto her side is the priority action to relieve potential compression of the vena cava and improve fetal oxygenation.

B. Turning the client onto her side is the correct first action.

Late decelerations are often associated with uteroplacental insufficiency. Changing the client's position, especially to the left lateral position, can help alleviate pressure on the vena cava, improving blood flow to the uterus and fetal oxygenation.

C. Increasing the client's IV fluid infusion rate may be considered, but it is not the first action to address late decelerations. Positioning changes should be initiated promptly.

D. Palpating the client's uterus is an assessment that may be done, but it is not the first action when late decelerations are observed. Positioning changes take precedence.

Choice A Reason:

Hemoglobin (Hgb) of 20 g/dL is elevated, but this can be a normal finding in a newborn and does not necessarily require immediate intervention.

Choice B Reason:

Total bilirubin of 5 mg/dL is within the normal range for a 24-hour-old newborn.

Choice C Reason:

Blood glucose 30 mg/dL. A blood glucose level of 30 mg/dL is significantly lower than the normal range for a newborn. Hypoglycemia in a newborn can lead to neurologic complications, so it is important to report this result promptly for further evaluation and intervention.

Choice D Reason:

White blood cell (WBC) count of 20,000/mm³ is within the expected range for a newborn and is not a cause for immediate concern. Newborns often have higher WBC counts shortly after birth.