The nurse is caring for a laboring client who presents with ruptured membranes, frequent contractions, and bloody show. Which intervention should be performed first?

A. Assess vital signs → Important but secondary to fetal assessment. B. Establish IV access → Necessary but not the first action. C. Perform a sterile vaginal exam → This is done after fetal heart tones are assessed, as frequent exams increase infection risk. D. Obtain fetal heart rate → The priority is to assess fetal well-being after membrane rupture to ensure there is no umbilical cord prolapse or fetal distress.