A nurse is admitting a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor.
Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering to prevent fetal respiratory distress syndrome?
Betamethasone
Magnesium sulfate
Nifedipine
Indomethacin
The Correct Answer is A
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm delivery to enhance fetal lung maturity and prevent respiratory distress syndrome. It is usually given in two doses, 24 hours apart, and takes effect within 24 hours of administration.
Choice B. Magnesium sulfate is wrong because it is used to prevent seizures in women with severe preeclampsia or eclampsia, not to prevent respiratory distress syndrome.
Choice C. Nifedipine is wrong because it is a calcium channel blocker that is used to inhibit uterine contractions and prolong pregnancy in women with preterm labor, not to prevent respiratory distress syndrome.
Choice D. Indomethacin is wrong because it is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and reduce uterine activity in women with preterm labor, not to prevent respiratory distress syndrome. However, it can also cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus and should be avoided after 32 weeks of gestation.
Normal ranges for gestational age are 37 to 42 weeks.
Preterm labor is defined as regular uterine contractions with cervical changes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Creatinine clearance.
Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits prostaglandin synthesis and suppresses uterine contractions.However, it can also causerenal failurein the fetus and the mother by reducing renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate.
Therefore, the nurse should monitor the creatinine clearance, which is a measure of renal function, while the client is receiving this medication.
Choice A is wrong because indomethacin does not affect platelet count or coagulation.
Choice C is wrong because indomethacin does not affect liver function tests.
Choice D is wrong because indomethacin does not affect blood glucose levels.
Normal ranges for creatinine clearance are 88-128 mL/min for women and 97-137 mL/min for men.Normal ranges for platelet count are 150,000-450,000 cells/mm3.
Normal ranges for liver function tests vary depending on the specific test, but some common ones are: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 7-55 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 8-48 U/L, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 45-115 U/L, total bilirubin 0.1-1.2 mg/dL.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
White blood cell count 25,000/mm3.
This indicates a potential complication of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is the death of intestinal tissue in premature or sick newborns.A high white blood cell count can be a sign of infection or inflammation in the bowel, which are common features of NEC.
Choice A is wrong because hematocrit 45% is within the normal range for newborns.
Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood.
A low hematocrit can indicate blood loss or anemia, which can be complications of NEC, but a normal hematocrit does not rule out NEC.
Choice B is wrong because platelets 150,000/mm3 is also within the normal range for newborns.
Platelets are cells that help the blood clot.A low platelet count can indicate a consumption coagulopathy, which is a bleeding disorder that can occur in severe cases of NEC.
However, a normal platelet count does not exclude NEC.
Choice D is wrong because blood glucose 80 mg/dL is also within the normal range for newborns.
Blood glucose measures the amount of sugar in the blood.
A low blood glucose can indicate hypoglycemia, which can be caused by sepsis or other conditions that mimic NEC, but a normal blood glucose does not eliminate NEC.
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