Final answer:
The nurse should recommend frequent position changes to assist the laboring woman, as it aids in alleviating discomfort and promoting labor progression. Other comfort measures like warm cloths can also be soothing, while ensuring room lighting matches the woman's preference can improve comfort.
Step-by-step explanation:
To assist the laboring woman, the comfort measure a nurse should use is to recommend frequent position changes. Frequent position changes can help alleviate discomfort, enhance circulation, and facilitate the progress of labor by using gravity to the woman's advantage. Keeping the room well-lit may not be comforting as some women prefer dim lighting to create a calm environment.
Offering warm, wet cloths for the patient's face and neck can be soothing and may help with relaxation. Regularly palpating the bladder to assess for distention is important, but doing so every 15 minutes may be excessive and intrusive unless there is a specific reason for close monitoring. Instead, regular but less frequent checks, alongside monitoring for signs of discomfort or restlessness that might indicate bladder fullness, can be employed. Each laboring woman's needs and comfort measures will be unique to her circumstances and preferences, and should be individually assessed and addressed.