A nurse is caring for a client who is in the first stage of labor. The nurse observes the umbilical cord protruding from the vagina. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?

A. Insert a gloved hand into the vagina to relieve pressure on the cord: Umbilical cord prolapse is an obstetric emergency. The priority is to relieve pressure on the cord to maintain fetal oxygenation until delivery. B. Cover the cord with a sterile, moist saline dressing: This is important for preventing cord desiccation but is not the first priority; oxygenation takes precedence. C. Prepare the client for an immediate birth: Cesarean delivery may be necessary, but initial pressure relief is performed before transport to the OR. D. Place the client in knee-chest position: This helps reduce cord compression but is secondary to manually relieving pressure on the cord.