Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and whose fetus is in the right occiput posterior position. The client is dilated to 8cm and reports back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

-apply sacral counterpressure
-perform transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
-initiate slow placed breathing

Answer 1

For a client in labor with a fetus in the right occiput posterior position, the nurse can apply sacral counterpressure to alleviate back pain. Slow-paced breathing techniques can help with coping during contractions. Other non-pharmacological pain relief methods like position changes may also be beneficial.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a client in labor whose fetus is in the right occiput posterior position and reports back pain has multiple interventions to consider. The client is dilated to 8cm, suggesting she is in active labor. The nurse can apply sacral counterpressure to help alleviate back pain which is often intense in posterior presentations. While transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) could also be used for pain management,

it might not be the first choice in a laboring context unless the client has previously expressed a desire to use it and there is an availability of appropriate equipment and support for its use. Initiating slow-paced breathing techniques can be beneficial for pain management and coping during contractions. The nurse may also consider position changes and massage, among other non-pharmacological pain relief techniques, as part of comprehensive labor support.