A labor and delivery nurse is monitoring a pregnant client at 38 weeks gestation. The external fetal monitor shows a baseline fetal heart rate of 145 bpm with moderate variability. During a contraction, the nurse observes that the fetal heart rate drops to 120 bpm at the peak of the contraction and returns to baseline after the contraction ends. What is the nurse's priority action?
- Document the findings as a normal response to contractions
- Reposition the client to her left side and reassess
- Continue monitoring and notify the healthcare provider at the end of the shift
- Prepare for emergency cesarean delivery