After noticing late decelerations on the fetal monitor, what is the immediate nursing intervention?

The appropriate immediate nursing intervention when late decelerations are noted on the fetal monitor is to stop the oxytocin infusion. Late decelerations can indicate fetal distress, often related to inadequate uteroplacental perfusion, which may be exacerbated by uterine contractions induced by oxytocin (a medication used to induce or augment labor). Stopping the infusion allows the uterus to relax and helps increase blood flow to the placenta, potentially alleviating the distress observed in the fetus.

Other actions, such as changing the mother’s position, may also be beneficial and are often part of subsequent interventions to improve fetal oxygenation and relieve pressure on the umbilical cord. However, prioritizing the cessation of oxytocin is critical because it directly addresses a possible cause of the late decelerations.

Notifying the obstetrician may be necessary, but it typically follows other immediate interventions to stabilize the fetus. Documentation is vital, but it is not an immediate intervention for the fetal distress scenario unfolding at that moment. Therefore, stopping the oxytocin infusion is crucial in this context to directly address the potential complications indicated by the fetal heart rate patterns.