Which uterine activity should be reported to the provider during oxytocin administration?

Contractions that do not decrease in intensity during oxytocin administration are significant because they could indicate uterine hyperstimulation. Hyperstimulation can lead to complications such as fetal distress, uterine rupture, or abnormal fetal heart rate patterns. It is essential to monitor uterine contractions closely during oxytocin therapy to ensure both maternal and fetal well-being. If contractions remain intense without decreasing, this suggests that the uterus may be overly stimulated, which warrants immediate assessment and potential intervention by the provider to prevent adverse outcomes.

The other options represent types of contractions that, while important to monitor, do not necessarily indicate a critical situation requiring immediate intervention. For example, contractions lasting longer than 60 seconds could be within normal limits depending on other factors, and contractions every 3 minutes may also be acceptable, depending on their intensity and the clinical context. Pain levels associated with contractions are subjective and can vary among patients; the absence of pain alone does not signify a problem unless paired with other concerning signs.