Which comfort measure should the nurse use to assist the laboring woman to relax?

A. Keep the room lights lit so that the patient and her coach can see everything: Bright lighting increases sensory stimulation and can heighten anxiety during labor. A calm, dim environment is more conducive to relaxation and parasympathetic nervous system activation. B. Offer warm, wet cloths to use on the patient's face and neck: While this can be a nice comfort measure, it is usually a localized relief. It is not as effective as position changes for overall relaxation and progress. Many women actually prefer cool cloths because labor is physically demanding and makes them feel hot due to increased metabolism. C. Palpate her filling bladder every 15 minutes: Frequent bladder assessment is unnecessary and intrusive unless urinary retention is suspected. Repeated palpation can interrupt coping efforts and increase discomfort rather than promote relaxation. D. Recommend frequent position changes: Frequent position changes (every 20–30 minutes) are a primary comfort measure. They help the woman relax by relieving pressure on specific muscle groups, improving circulation, and helping the fetus rotate and descend. Movement reduces the perception of pain and prevents the mother from becoming physically fatigued in one spot.