Final answer:
The nurse should continue to monitor labor progress, as the full-term multigravida is actively dilating and in the first stage of labor, which involves cervical dilation up to 10 cm. Intervention with Pitocin is not needed as there are no complications, and labor is progressing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is evaluating a full-term multigravida who was induced 3 hours ago and is currently 7 cm dilated. This means that the client is in the first stage of labor, wherein the cervix thins and dilates to allow for the birth of the baby and the expulsion of the placenta. In a full-term pregnancy, the cervix must fully dilate to about 10 cm for the vaginal birth to occur. The dilation stage can vary widely in duration but for a multigravida, it usually takes less time compared to a primigravida. If labor progress halts, Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin) may be administered to restart and maintain labor contractions; however, this is not indicated in this case as the client is actively dilating without any complications noted. Given that the client is making progress, the registered nurse's actions should focus on continued monitoring. Reapplying the external transducer, inserting an intrauterine pressure catheter, or discontinuing the oxytocin infusion are not necessary at this time unless there are indications of fetal distress or labor is not progressing normally. Thus, the most appropriate action would be to continue to monitor labor progress.