A client at 39 weeks of gestation is positive for group B streptococcus (GBS). What action should the nurse take during admission?

The appropriate action to take for a client who is positive for group B streptococcus (GBS) at 39 weeks of gestation is to administer IV antibiotic prophylaxis. This is crucial because GBS can be harmful to the newborn, potentially leading to infections such as pneumonia or meningitis if the bacteria are transmitted during labor and delivery. The administration of antibiotics helps to significantly reduce the risk of neonatal GBS infection.

It is a standard practice to provide this prophylaxis during labor for individuals who are known to be GBS positive, ensuring the neonate receives adequate protection from possible exposure during birth. The timing and dosage of the antibiotics are essential and are typically initiated as soon as the labor begins to provide maximum efficacy.

In contrast, administering IV vitamin K does not pertain to GBS management and is typically not indicated during admission for labor. Likewise, preparing for a cesarean section is not automatically necessary for all GBS-positive deliveries, as many women can safely deliver vaginally with appropriate antibiotic management. Continuous fetal heart rate assessment is important in labor but is not the primary initial action indicated by GBS positivity. Therefore, the most critical and immediate response in this scenario is the administration of IV antibiotic prophylaxis.