What is a key action before increasing the Oxytocin dosage?

Assessing fetal heart rate and uterine relaxation is critical before increasing the dosage of Oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone commonly used to induce or augment labor by stimulating uterine contractions. Monitoring the fetal heart rate ensures that the fetus is tolerating the contractions well and not under stress due to potential over-stimulation of the uterus. Uterine relaxation is also important to evaluate, as excessive contraction can lead to uterine hyperstimulation, which increases the risk of fetal distress and other complications. Therefore, ensuring both the fetal heart rate is stable and that the uterus is not overly contracted is essential for making safe decisions regarding medication adjustment.

The other options, while relevant to patient care in general, do not directly address the immediate concerns associated with Oxytocin administration. Reviewing the maternal diet or administering additional IV fluids may be pertinent in a broader clinical context but do not provide the specific safety measures necessary before altering Oxytocin levels. Requesting additional pain relief is also important in the labor process, but it is not a prerequisite to adjusting Oxytocin dosage.