Final answer:
A nulliparous woman in the latent phase of the second stage of labor will likely experience a strong urge to bear down, perineal bulging, and an increase in bright red bloody show. Remaining quiet with eyes closed is more typical for the first stage. Pitocin is administered to assist labor progression when dilation has stalled.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the behaviors to be expected from a nulliparous woman who has just entered the latent phase of the second stage of her labor. In this stage, the behaviors appropriate to anticipate include the strong urge to bear down as the baby moves into the birth canal, indicative of active pushing, and perineal bulging as the baby's head starts to crown. These signs suggest that the baby is being expelled from the uterus through the concerted efforts of uterine contractions and maternal abdominal muscle compression. An increase of bright red bloody show can also occur as the cervical plug is expelled and as the cervix stretches further, sometimes accompanied by perineal bulging. However, remaining quiet with eyes closed between contractions is more characteristic of the earlier first stage of labor, where the woman's cervix thins and dilates before reaching the necessary 10 cm for childbirth to progress smoothly.
Given the situation described, Janine was administered an IV infusion of pitocin because she was experiencing protracted latent labor, which means her cervical dilation had stalled. Pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin, helps to restart and maintain labor contractions, facilitating the dilation necessary for childbirth.