The nurse is planning care for a client who has a fourth-degree midline laceration that occurred during vaginal delivery of an 8-pound 10-ounce (3674 grams) infant. Which intervention has the highest priority for this client?

The correct answer is choice c. Administer prescribed stool softener. Choice A rationale: Administering prescribed PRN sleep medications is not the highest priority. While rest is important, managing pain and preventing complications from the laceration take precedence. Choice B rationale: Encouraging the use of prescribed analgesic perineal sprays is beneficial for pain management, but it is not the highest priority intervention. Choice C rationale: Administering a prescribed stool softener is crucial because it helps prevent constipation, which can cause significant pain and strain on the perineal area, potentially worsening the laceration. Choice D rationale: Encouraging breastfeeding to promote uterine involution is important for postpartum recovery, but it does not directly address the immediate needs related to the fourth-degree laceration.