The nurse is working with a pregnant adolescent. The patient asks the nurse how the baby's condition is determined during labor. The nurse's best response is that during labor, the nurse will:

Question

1. Check the patient's cervix by doing a pelvic exam every 2 hours.
2. Assess the baby's heart rate with an electronic fetal monitor.
3. Look at the color and amount of bloody show that the patient has.
4. Verify that the patient's contractions are strong but not too close together.

Answer 1

2
Rationale 1: Although cervical exams are performed on a regular basis, the pelvic exam does not assess fetal status.
Rationale 2: This statement best answers the question the patient has asked.
Rationale 3: Although bloody show is monitored, doing so does not assess fetal status.
Rationale 4: Although contraction strength is palpated abdominally, this procedure does not assess fetal status in labor.