The Labor Nurse Is Providing Care for a Patient Admitted

The labor nurse is providing care for a patient admitted for induction of labor at 38 weeks' gestation. The patient's Bishop score is 5, and an infusion of oxytocin (Pitocin) is initiated with orders that read as follows: mix 30 units of Pitocin in 500 mL of NS, increase the rate of infusion by 2 mL/hr every 15 to 60 minutes until a pattern of three contractions in 10 minutes is established. What is the priority nursing action for this patient?

A) Increase the infusion of Pitocin every 30 to 60 minutes.
B) Assess for changes in the patient's cervix every 2 hours.
C) Obtain a reactive non-stress test prior to starting the infusion.
D) Determine the fetal heart rate baseline for 30 minutes prior to starting the infusion.

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