When inducing labor with oxytocin, which contraction assessment would cause the nurse to stop the infusion?

When inducing labor with oxytocin, the key factor in determining the safety of the infusion is the duration of the contractions. The correct choice identifies contractions lasting longer than 110 seconds as a reason to stop the infusion.

Prolonged contractions can lead to uterine hyperstimulation, which increases the risk of complications for both the mother and the fetus. Specifically, contractions that last longer than 90 seconds can compromise fetal oxygenation and lead to abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, while contractions lasting over 110 seconds can be particularly concerning. This is because the uterus does not have sufficient time to relax between contractions, which may result in decreased blood flow to the placenta, potentially endangering the baby's health.

In contrast, contractions that last between 30 to 60 seconds or even 60 to 90 seconds are generally considered to be normal and not indicative of hyperstimulation, and therefore do not warrant stopping the infusion of oxytocin. Hence, monitoring contraction duration is critical for ensuring both maternal and fetal well-being during labor induction.