Which nursing intervention is indicated for the second stage of labor?

• A. Assisting the client to push effectively so that expulsion of the fetus can be achieved.
• B. Administering analgesia to the mother.
• C. Monitoring fetal heart rate every 30 minutes.
• D. Encouraging the mother to rest between contractions

Answer: (A)

During the second stage of labor, from full dilation to birth, the primary job is to help deliver the baby by guiding and coaching the mother to push effectively with each contraction. The nurse supports the mother, helps her use her pushing efforts correctly, and may provide perineal support and a calm environment to facilitate delivery and reduce tearing. Analgesia at this point can interfere with the urge to push and the coordination of efforts, so it is typically minimized or avoided to allow effective pushing. Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring is important in this stage to quickly detect any distress, rather than checking the rate only every 30 minutes. Rest between contractions is less relevant here, since delivery requires active pushing with each contraction.