A client in latent labor for about 12 hours requests rest; which medication is most likely prescribed to help her rest?

• A. Meperidine
• B. Fentanyl
• C. Morphine
• D. Secobarbital

Answer: (D)

The main idea is using a medication that promotes sleep and calm in the latent phase of labor. Secobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate that provides sedation and helps the patient rest, which is often desired during a lengthy latent phase to conserve energy for active labor later. Opioid analgesics like meperidine, fentanyl, and morphine focus on pain relief and can cause maternal drowsiness, fetal respiratory depression, and potential delays in labor progression; they do not specifically promote restful sleep in a way that helps the patient conserve energy for subsequent labor. While they relieve pain, they’re not the choice when rest is the primary goal, making secobarbital the best option in this scenario.