A 36-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 2, at 38 weeks

A 36-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 2, at 38 weeks gestation comes to the emergency department due to regular, painful

contractions. The contractions began an hour ago, immediately after the patient had a “gush” of fluid. She has had no vaginal

bleeding, and fetal movement has been normal. The patient’s last prenatal visit was 6 weeks ago. She has no known medical

conditions and does not use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs. Vital signs are normal. Fetal heart rate tracing shows a baseline of

140/min with multiple accelerations and no decelerations. Contractions occur every 2 minutes on tocodynamometer. Pelvic

examination shows a cluster of clear vesicles with an erythematous base on the right labium minus. Speculum examination shows a

pool of clear fluid in the posterior vagina. The cervix is 6 cm dilated and 100% effaced with the fetal head at O station. Which of the

following is the best next step in management of this patient?

  • QA Administer tocolytics
  • 0 B. Continue expectant management
  • 0 C. Initiate augmentation of labor
  • 0 D. Perform cesarean delivery
  • 0 E. Place fetal scalp electrode
  • 0 F Start antiviral therapy

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