A client in latent phase of labor for the past 12 hours is requesting medication to help her rest.

The correct answer is choice B. Prolactin.

Choice A reason:

Estrogen. Estrogen is a hormone that plays a role in the development of the mammary glands and the ductal system during pregnancy. However, estrogen does not directly produce milk.

In fact, high levels of estrogen during pregnancy inhibit milk secretion by blocking prolactin. Therefore, estrogen is not the hormone necessary for milk production. • Choice B reason:

Prolactin. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for the production of breast milk. Prolactin is secreted by the pituitary gland in response to suckling or nipple stimulation. Prolactin levels rise during pregnancy and peak after delivery, when the sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone allows prolactin to take over and initiate lactation. Therefore, prolactin is the hormone necessary for milk production. • Choice C reason:

Progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone that also contributes to the development of the mammary glands and the alveoli during pregnancy. However, like estrogen, progesterone does not directly produce milk. Progesterone also inhibits milk secretion by blocking prolactin during pregnancy. Therefore, progesterone is not the hormone necessary for milk production. •

Choice D reason:

Lactogen. Lactogen is not a hormone, but a general term for any substance that stimulates lactation. There are different types of lactogens, such as human placental lactogen (hPL), which is produced by the placenta during pregnancy and has some lactogenic effects on the mammary glands. However, hPL is not the main hormone responsible for milk production. That role belongs to prolactin. Therefore, lactogen is not the hormone necessary for milk production.

Choice A reason:

This is the best response because it shows that the nurse is providing nonpharmacological pain relief measures and supporting the client's coping mechanisms. Breathing and imagery techniques can help the client relax and focus on something other than the pain. Moaning, screaming, and vocalizing are normal and acceptable ways of expressing pain during labor, and the nurse should not try to suppress them.

Choice B reason:

This is not the best response because it does not address the husband's concern or offer any intervention for the client's pain. Asking the client to rate her pain on a scale of 0 to 10 is a subjective assessment tool that may not reflect the true intensity of her pain. Furthermore, it may be difficult for the client to answer this question while she is in the second stage of labor.

Choice C reason:

This is not the best response because it may not be feasible or appropriate to administer more pain medication to the client in the second stage of labor. The obstetrician may not be available to evaluate the client's pain, and increasing the dose of pain medication may have adverse effects on the client and the fetus, such as respiratory depression, hypotension, and decreased uterine contractility.

Choice D reason:

This is not the best response because it does not acknowledge the husband's feelings or provide any comfort or education for him. Reassuring him that his wife will be fine may sound dismissive and insensitive, and offering to stay with her while he takes a walk may imply that he is not needed or wanted in the birthing room. The nurse should involve the husband in the care of his wife and explain to him what is happening and what to expect during labor.