Final answer:
The nurse should contact the healthcare provider if noting shortening periods of uterine relaxation between contractions in a client with precipitous labor. This pattern could lead to fetal distress. Pitocin is used to stimulate labor when it is not progressing naturally.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse monitoring a client in precipitous labor should contact the primary health care provider on noting shortening periods of uterine relaxation between contractions. Precipitous labor is characterized by labor that progresses rapidly and can result in a delivery in less than 3 hours. This can pose risks to both the mother and the baby, including a higher chance of bleeding, infection, and fetal distress. A pattern of decreased uterine relaxation could indicate that contractions are too close together, which might reduce blood flow to the placenta and the baby, potentially leading to fetal distress. Monitoring for such signs is crucial to ensure timely medical intervention if necessary.
Janine was commenced on an IV infusion of pitocin because her labor was not progressing as expected. Pitocin, a synthetic form of oxytocin, stimulates uterine contractions to facilitate cervical dilation and advance labor. Given that Janine was 41 weeks pregnant and experiencing prolonged labor without significant cervical dilation, it was warranted to manage the labor actively to reduce the risks associated with prolonged gestation and labor.