Your patient is a 26-year-old GI P0 (gravida I, para 0) with contractions 3 minutes apart. What action should you take when she asks to get up to use the bathroom?

In this situation, the correct choice is to explain to the patient that the sensation of contractions might indicate she is close to delivery. During the process of labor, especially in a first-time mother (GI P0), contractions can be indicative of progression towards childbirth. As the cervix dilates and the baby moves down the birth canal, the frequency and intensity of contractions typically increase.

This explanation is crucial because it provides the patient with important information about her condition. It prepares her for the possibility that she may be in the active stages of labor, which could lead to delivery at any time. Understanding this context can help manage her expectations and may deter her from wanting to make unnecessary movements, such as going to the bathroom, which could be risky if she is indeed close to delivery.

The importance of the mother's safety and well-being, combined with the risk of complications during labor, makes it essential to communicate effectively with her. The other options either minimize the seriousness of her condition or do not prioritize her safety during what may be an imminent labor situation.