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

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Tocolytics are a category of drugs used to delay the labor process.These may be used in situations when a pregnant person begins showing signs of preterm labor —which is any time before 37 weeks of completed pregnancy.Tocolytics may help delay labor by two to seven days.

Some possible explanations for the other choices are:

• Choice A. Administering intravenous fluids.

This is not a correct answer because intravenous fluids are not effective in suppressing uterine contractions.They may be used to correct dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, which can sometimes trigger preterm labor, but they are not a primary intervention for preterm labor.

• Choice C. Administering corticosteroids.

This is not a correct answer because corticosteroids are not tocolytics.They do not stop or slow down uterine contractions, but they help accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and other complications of prematurity.

Corticosteroids are often given along with tocolytics, but they have a different function and mechanism of action.

• Choice D. Administering antibiotics.

This is not a correct answer because antibiotics are not tocolytics.They may be used to treat infections that can cause or complicate preterm labor, such as chorioamnionitis or group B streptococcus, but they do not directly affect uterine contractions.

Antibiotics may be given along with tocolytics, but they have a different function.

A. Measure urine output B. Check deep tendon reflexes C. Assess uterine activity D. Monitor blood pressure

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

The therapeutic effect of magnesium sulfate is to inhibit uterine contractions and prevent or delay preterm labor.

By assessing uterine activity, the nurse can evaluate if the medication is working or not.

Choice A is wrong because measuring urine output is not directly related to the therapeutic effect of magnesium sulfate, but rather to monitor for toxicity and renal function.

Choice B is wrong because checking deep tendon reflexes is also not directly related to the therapeutic effect of magnesium sulfate, but rather to monitor for neuromuscular effects and toxicity.

Choice D is wrong because monitoring blood pressure is not directly related to the therapeutic effect of magnesium sulfate, but rather to monitor for cardiovascular effects and toxicity.

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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?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client at 30 weeks of gestation is experiencing pre-term labor. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate to suppress uterine contractions?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving magnesium sulfate for pre-term labor. Which of the following assessments should the nurse perform to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the medication?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A client in pre-term labor is being discharged from the hospital. What should the nurse include in the client's discharge plan?

A nurse is assessing a client for pre-term labor. Which assessment finding would be most concerning and require immediate intervention?

A nurse is preparing to administer nifedipine to a client who is in pre-term labor. The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider if the client has which of the following conditions?

A nurse is teaching a client who is at 27 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor about the signs and symptoms of true labor versus false labor. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

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:

A nurse is caring for a client who is at 33 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. The client reports a sudden gush of fluid from her vagina. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of magnesium sulfate therapy for a client who is in pre-term labor. Which of the following findings indicates that the therapy is successful?

A nurse is caring for a pre-term newborn who has a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Which of the following medications should the nurse expect to administer to close the ductus arteriosus?

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?