Final answer:
To accurately determine the frequency of contractions, count the minutes and seconds between each contraction. This information helps assess the progress of labor and determine when it is necessary to take further action.
Step-by-step explanation:
To accurately determine the frequency of contractions, the nurse should count the minutes and seconds between each contraction. For example, if a contraction starts at 2:00 PM and ends at 2:01 PM, the duration of the contraction is 1 minute. The nurse should then note how much time passes until the next contraction begins. This information helps assess the progress of labor and determine when it is necessary to take further action.