A nurse is administering betamethasone to a client who is in pre-term labor at 28 weeks of gestation.

The nurse should explain that the purpose of this medication is to:

It will increase fetal lung maturity.

Betamethasone is a type of corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm delivery between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation.It helps to improve neonatal outcomes by reducing the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome and other complications.Betamethasone works by stimulating the production and release of surfactant, a substance that lubricates the lungs and prevents them from collapsing when the baby breathes.

Choice A is wrong because betamethasone does not affect maternal blood pressure.

Choice C is wrong because betamethasone does not reduce uterine contractions.

Choice D is wrong because betamethasone does not prevent neonatal infection.

Report any increase in vaginal discharge to the provider.This is because an increase in vaginal discharge can indicate an infection, which can trigger preterm labor or cause complications for the mother and the baby.

Choice A is wrong because sexual intercourse is not contraindicated for women who have preterm labor that was successfully stopped with tocolytic therapy, unless they have other risk factors such as placenta previa or ruptured membranes.

Choice B is wrong because drinking at least 3 L of fluids per day is not necessary for women who have preterm labor that was successfully stopped with tocolytic therapy, unless they have dehydration or oligohydramnios.

Choice D is wrong because pelvic floor exercises are not recommended for women who have preterm labor that was successfully stopped with tocolytic therapy, as they can increase uterine activity and cause contractions.

Tocolytic therapy is the use of drugs to delay delivery for a short time (up to 48 hours) if a woman begins labor too early in her pregnancy.

The purpose of tocolytic therapy is to allow time for the administration of corticosteroids or other medicine.