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?

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. Referral to community services for support.

Referral to community services for support is an important part of the discharge plan for a client in preterm labor.Community services can provide education, counseling, home visits, and other resources to help the client cope with preterm labor and prevent complications.

B. Encouragement to smoke in moderation.Statement is wrong because smoking is harmful for the unborn baby and can increase the risk of preterm labor.Smoking should be avoided completely during pregnancy and the client should be advised to quit or seek help to quit.

C. Instructions for heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.Statement is wrong because heavy lifting and strenuous exercise can trigger contractions and worsen preterm labor.The client should be instructed to rest as much as possible and avoid activities that may cause uterine irritation or bleeding.

D. Recommendation to avoid kangaroo care.Statement is wrong because kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin contact with the baby, is beneficial for both the mother and the baby after birth.Kangaroo care can help regulate the baby’s temperature, heart rate, breathing, and blood sugar levels, as well as promote bonding, breastfeeding, and infection prevention.The client should be encouraged to practice kangaroo care as soon as possible after delivery.