A nurse is preparing to administer oxytocin to a client who is postpartum. Which of the following findings is an indication for the administration of the medication? (Select all that apply.)

The correct answer is D. Variable decelerations.

A. Accelerations in the fetal heart rate are generally considered reassuring. Accelerations are an indication of fetal well-being and are often seen in response to fetal movement.

B. Early decelerations are typically associated with head compression during contractions and are considered a normal response to the pressure on the fetal head.

C. Late decelerations are indicative of uteroplacental insufficiency.

Late decelerations occur after the peak of the contraction and are associated with inadequate oxygenation to the fetus. This pattern raises concerns about the baby's well-being.

D. Variable decelerations are associated with umbilical cord compression.

Variable decelerations are abrupt decreases in the fetal heart rate that vary in duration, depth, and timing. They often coincide with contractions and suggest compression or occlusion of the umbilical cord.

A. The pattern of contractions is important in assessing labor, but the presence of regular contractions alone does not confirm true labor. It is the changes in the cervix that indicate progress in labor.

B. The station of the presenting part (the level at which the baby's head has descended into the pelvis) is also a factor in labor, but it is not the primary indicator of true labor. Changes in the cervix are more indicative.

C. Changes in the cervix are a key sign of true labor.

True labor involves cervical effacement (thinning) and dilation (opening). These changes in the cervix signify progress in the labor process.

D. Rupture of the membranes (water breaking) can be a sign of labor, but it doesn't confirm true labor on its own. It might occur before, during, or after labor has begun.