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The nurse midwife caring for a multiparous client who is 5 cm dilated requests intermittent auscultation (IA) of the fetal heart rate. The woman’s history reveals no risk factors. How often should IA be performed in this patient?

  • A. Every 15 minutes
  • B. Every 5 minutes
  • C. Every 20 minutes
  • D. Every 30 minutes
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Every 15 minutes. During active labor, intermittent auscultation should be performed every 15 minutes for low-risk women without complications. This frequency allows for close monitoring of fetal well-being while also promoting a woman-centered approach to labor care. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the standard guidelines for IA frequency during active labor. Every 5 minutes (B) is too frequent and may disrupt the woman's labor progress. Every 20 minutes (C) and every 30 minutes (D) are too far apart to ensure adequate monitoring of the fetal heart rate. Thus, choice A is the most appropriate option for this scenario.