A nurse is administering betamethasone to a client who is at risk for pre-term labor at 30 weeks of gestation.

Which of the following outcomes should the nurse monitor for in the newborn?

Magnesium sulfate is a tocolytic drug that inhibits uterine activity and relaxes smooth muscles.The goal of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client who is in pre-term labor is to stop or reduce the frequency and intensity of contractions.

Choice B is wrong because the client’s blood pressure decreases to within normal limits.

Magnesium sulfate is not an antihypertensive drug and does not lower blood pressure.It is used to prevent seizures in clients with preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Choice C is wrong because the client’s deep tendon reflexes are 2+.

This is a normal finding and does not indicate the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy.A decrease or loss of deep tendon reflexes may indicate magnesium toxicity, which is a serious complication that requires immediate intervention.

Choice D is wrong because the client’s urine output increases to more than 30 mL/hr.

This is also a normal finding and does not indicate the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy.A decrease in urine output may indicate renal impairment or magnesium toxicity, which are both adverse effects of the drug.

The normal range for serum magnesium level is 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L or 1.8 to 3 mg/dL.The therapeutic range for magnesium sulfate management is 5 to 8 mg/dL.

A cervical cerclage is a procedure that involves placing stitches around the cervix to prevent it from opening prematurely.This procedure is usually done for women who have a history of cervical insufficiency or a short cervix, which are risk factors for preterm labor.

Choice A is wrong because history of gestational diabetes is not a risk factor for preterm labor.

Gestational diabetes is a condition that causes high blood sugar during pregnancy and can affect the health of the mother and the baby, but it does not increase the risk of preterm labor.

Choice C is wrong because history of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) is a risk factor for preterm labor.

UTIs are infections that affect the urinary system and can cause symptoms such as pain, burning, or frequent urination.

UTIs can also spread to the kidneys or the uterus and cause inflammation or infection that can trigger preterm labor.

Choice D is wrong because history of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a risk factor for preterm labor.

ART refers to any medical procedure that helps with conception, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

ART can increase the risk of preterm labor because it can result in multiple gestations (twins, triplets, or more), which put more strain on the uterus and can cause it to contract prematurely.ART can also cause complications such as placenta previa or rupture of the uterus, which can lead to preterm labor.