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.)

a.Panting helps to control the urge to push and can slow down the delivery, which is important to prevent rapid delivery that could cause injury to both the mother and the baby. It allows the nurse or healthcare provider to better manage the delivery process.

b.Slow-paced breathing is often used during early labor to help manage pain and anxiety. However, when the baby’s head is crowning, panting is more effective in controlling the urge to push and slowing down the delivery process.

c.While deep cleansing breaths can be helpful during contractions to manage pain and focus, they are not as effective as panting in controlling the urge to push during the crowning phase.

d.While it might seem natural to encourage pushing when the baby’s head is crowning, it’s important to control the delivery to prevent rapid birth, which can cause injury to both the mother and the baby. Encouraging the mother to pant helps slow down the process, allowing for a more controlled and safer delivery.

The correct answer is C. Place the client in a lateral position.

A. Elevating the client's legs is not the priority in this situation. Placing the client in a lateral position is more appropriate to improve blood flow and prevent supine hypotension.

B. Notifying the provider is an important action but not the immediate priority. Addressing the client's position and blood pressure is crucial before contacting the provider.

C. Placing the client in a lateral position is the priority nursing action.

The low blood pressure may be due to aortocaval compression (supine hypotension) caused by the weight of the uterus on the vena cava. Turning the client onto her side alleviates this compression and helps improve blood flow.

D. Monitoring vital signs every 5 minutes is important, but the immediate action should be to address the client's position and blood pressure. Continuous monitoring and further interventions can follow.