A laboring client's membranes rupture spontaneously. The nurse notices that the amniotic fluid is greenish brown. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Rationale: A. Contact the healthcare provider: Notifying the provider is important if meconium-stained fluid is present, but immediate assessment of fetal well-being takes priority before contacting the provider. B. Assess the fetal heart rate (FHR): The presence of greenish-brown amniotic fluid indicates possible meconium-stained fluid, which can signal fetal distress. Assessing the FHR first allows the nurse to determine if the fetus is currently compromised and requires urgent intervention. C. Check the cervical dilation: Cervical assessment provides information about labor progression but does not address the immediate concern of potential fetal compromise from meconium aspiration. D. Turn the client to her left side: Positioning can improve uteroplacental perfusion if the fetus is distressed, but the first step is to assess the FHR to identify any current compromise before implementing interventions.