A nurse is teaching a client who is in preterm labor about terbutaline. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Choice A Reason:

Confirming the newborn's Apgar score is important for assessing the newborn's overall condition, but it may not be the first priority.

Choice B Reason:

Verifying the newborn's identification is appropriate. Ensuring accurate identification is a crucial step in newborn care to prevent errors and ensure that interventions are carried out on the correct infant.

Choice C Reason:

Administering vitamin K is a standard practice but can wait until after the newborn's identification is confirmed.

Choice D Reason:

Determining obstetrical risk factors is part of the overall assessment but is not the immediate priority in this situation.

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.