A nurse is caring for a newborn who has a blood glucose level of 40 mg/dL. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A rationale:

Instructing the client to wash their hands before breastfeeding helps prevent the transmission of infection to the breast and the baby.

Choice B rationale:

Teaching the client about proper latching-on techniques ensures effective breastfeeding, reduces the risk of nipple damage, and promotes comfort for both the client and the baby.

Choice C rationale:

Encouraging the client to alternate breastfeeding with formula feeding is not recommended for a client with mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue often caused by bacterial infection, and continuing breastfeeding helps to clear the infection and maintain milk supply.

Choice D rationale:

Instructing the client to avoid using a breast pump is not necessary in this situation. Breastfeeding and pumping can continue to help drain the breast adequately, which is essential for resolving mastitis.

Choice E rationale:

Encouraging the client to allow their nipples to air dry after feedings helps promote healing and prevents further irritation to the nipples.

Assess the fetal heart rate pattern.

Choice B rationale:

When a laboring client's membranes have just ruptured, the nurse's next action should be to assess the fetal heart rate pattern. Rupture of membranes can lead to changes in amniotic fluid, which can affect the fetal environment and potentially cause fetal distress. By assessing the fetal heart rate pattern, the nurse can determine if the baby is tolerating the labor process well or if there are signs of fetal compromise that require further intervention.

Choice A rationale:

While assessing the client's blood pressure (Choice A) is important during labor, it is not the immediate next action when the membranes have ruptured.

Choice C rationale:

Taking the client's temperature (Choice C) is also important, but it is not the priority action when the membranes have ruptured.

Choice D rationale:

Preparing for a c-section (Choice D) is not the initial action unless there are specific indications for an emergency cesarean section. Assessing the fetal heart rate is more critical at this stage.