A nurse is reinforcing teaching about reliable sources of Vitamin B12 with a client who is pregnant. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend in the teaching?

Choice A rationale: Applying identification bands is an essential step in newborn care, but it is not the priority immediately after delivery. The nurse should first address the baby's physiological needs, such as drying and maintaining body temperature.
Choice B rationale: Assessing and documenting the Apgar score is important for evaluating the newborn's overall condition and response to delivery, but it is not the priority immediately after delivery.
Choice C rationale: Administering phytonadione (vitamin K) to prevent bleeding disorders in the newborn is essential, but it can be done after drying and stabilizing the baby's body temperature.
Choice D rationale: After ensuring a patent airway, the nurse's priority should be to dry the newborn. Drying the newborn is important for maintaining body temperature and preventing heat loss, especially during the immediate post-delivery period. Wet newborns can lose heat rapidly through evaporation, so drying the baby helps prevent hypothermia and stabilize the baby's body temperature.

The correct answer is Choice D: Contraction lasting 85 seconds.

Choice A rationale: A contraction resting period of 35 seconds is normal and expected during labor. The resting period allows the uterine muscle to relax and replenish its oxygen supply, which is essential for fetal well-being. The resting period also gives the client a chance to rest and cope with the pain of labor. A normal resting period ranges from 30 to 90 seconds, depending on the stage and phase of labor¹².

Choice B rationale: A heart rate of 100/min for a 10-min period is within the normal range for an adult. The normal resting heart rate for an adult is 60 to 100 beats per minute (bpm)³. During labor, the heart rate may increase due to factors such as pain, anxiety, dehydration, fever, or infection. However, a heart rate of 100/min is not considered a sign of distress or complication, unless it is accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations⁴⁵.

Choice C rationale: Four contractions in a 10-min period is a normal frequency for labor contractions. The frequency of contractions refers to how often they occur, measured from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. The normal frequency of contractions varies depending on the stage and phase of labor, but generally ranges from two to five contractions in 10 minutes¹².

Choice D rationale: A contraction lasting 85 seconds is too long and should be reported to the provider. The duration of contractions refers to how long they last, measured from the beginning to the end of one contraction. The normal duration of contractions ranges from 30 to 70 seconds, depending on the stage and phase of labor¹². A contraction lasting longer than 90 seconds is considered a prolonged contraction, which can reduce the blood flow and oxygen supply to the placenta and the fetus, leading to fetal hypoxia and acidosis. Prolonged contractions can also cause uterine rupture, placental abruption, or maternal hemorrhage .