Final answer:
The priority nursing action for a client admitted in active labor with red blister-like lesions on the vaginal orifice is to take a smear of the lesion for testing to determine the appropriate treatment, which may include IV antibiotics or a cesarean birth depending on the infection type.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a client is admitted in active labor at 39 weeks' gestation and presents with multiple red blister-like lesions on the edge of the vaginal orifice, the nursing priority would be to take a smear of the lesion for testing (C). This is crucial to identify the underlying cause, which might suggest a herpes simplex virus infection or another infectious process that would be essential to manage for the health of both the mother and the newborn. As such infections can have significant implications for the delivery method and neonatal care, prompt identification and treatment are vital.
Based on the clinical focus examples, taking a sample and confirming the cause of an infection is important in determining the appropriate treatment. For instance, in cases of suspected necrotizing fasciitis or bacterial infections, samples are taken for microbial culture and analysis to guide treatment choices, such as the prescription of antibiotics. Infections during pregnancy can be particularly concerning, hence the importance of swift diagnosis and care.
While the commencement of an IV antibiotic might be a subsequent step once the infection type is confirmed, the immediate step is to identify the causative organism. Cesarean birth might be considered if the lesions are due to an active herpes infection to prevent neonatal transmission. Documentation for the need for double gloving may follow as part of the infection control procedure, but it is not the priority action.