Question

The first-time mother has been told by the nurse that the first stage of labor is the longest. An appropriate nursing intervention for comfort during this time would be:

a. cool fluids to drink.
b. a backrub in the sacral area.
c. assisting to lie in a supine position.
d. decreasing illumination in the room.

Answer 1

A backrub in the sacral area is an appropriate nursing intervention for comfort during the long first stage of labor, where the cervix dilates to prepare for the baby's birth.

Step-by-step explanation:

An appropriate nursing intervention for comfort during the first stage of labor, which is the longest and involves the cervix thinning and dilating, would be to provide a backrub in the sacral area. This helps to alleviate some of the discomfort due to the regular contractions and myometrial hypoxia during uterine contractions. It is common for this stage to last anywhere from 6-12 hours, and in some cases even longer, but tends to be shorter in subsequent labors. Other comfort measures may include hydration, but lying in a supine position is generally avoided due to the potential for supine hypotensive syndrome, and decreasing room illumination might be helpful depending on the mother's preference.