Answer :
Final answer:
The initial action by the attending nurse during a precipitous labor and imminent birth is to prepare for delivery. This is due to the rapid progression of labor which necessitates quick response to ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and child. So the correct answer is option (a)
Explanation:
During a precipitous labor and imminent birth, the immediate initial action by the attending nurse should be to prepare for delivery. Precipitous labor is characterized by a labor that progresses very rapidly, which could mean the baby might be born within a few minutes to a couple of hours from the onset. During precipitous labor, the cervix dilates very quickly and does not follow the typical time frames seen with usual labor stages.
In most cases, the person giving birth may be unable to reach the appropriate medical facility in time or obtain an epidural for pain management due to the swiftness of labor. Therefore, it is crucial for the attending nurse to prioritize immediate preparations for the baby's birth to ensure a safe delivery environment for both the mother and the newborn.
While calling for help, performing a vaginal exam, and administering oxygen are also important steps, they come after or in tandem with preparing for delivery based on the immediacy of the situation and the urgency to respond swiftly to the labor process.
