A nurse is admitting a patient who is at 30 weeks of gestation and is in preterm labor.The patient has a new prescription for betamethasone and asks the nurse about the purpose of this medication. Which explanation should the nurse provide?

The correct answer is choiceC. Respiratory rate.

Choice A rationale:

Monitoring the fetal heart rate (FHR) is crucial during labor to assess the well-being of the fetus.However, when administering magnesium sulfate, the primary concern is the mother’s respiratory status due to the risk of respiratory depression, which can be a side effect of the medication.

Choice B rationale:

While bowel sounds are an important part of a comprehensive assessment, they are not the primary concern when administering magnesium sulfate.Magnesium sulfate primarily affects the neuromuscular and respiratory systems.

Choice C rationale:

Respiratory rate is the primary nursing assessment for a client receiving magnesium sulfate IV.Magnesium sulfate can cause respiratory depression, so it is essential to monitor the client’s respiratory status closely to detect any signs of respiratory compromise early.

Choice D rationale:

Monitoring temperature is important in any clinical setting, but it is not the primary concern when administering magnesium sulfate.The primary focus should be on the respiratory rate due to the potential for respiratory depression.

Choice A rationale
Increased deposits of fat in the chest and shoulder area are not typically associated with respiratory distress syndrome in a term macrosomic newborn whose mother has poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.
Choice B rationale
Hyperinsulinemia is a condition in which there are excess levels of insulin circulating in the blood. In the case of a term macrosomic newborn whose mother has poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, the baby’s pancreas may produce extra insulin in response to the mother’s high blood glucose levels. This excess insulin can delay surfactant production, which is needed for lung maturation, leading to respiratory distress syndrome.
Choice C rationale
Brachial plexus injury is a type of birth injury that can occur due to the baby’s large size and difficulty being born. However, it is not the most likely cause of respiratory distress syndrome in a term macrosomic newborn whose mother has poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.
Choice D rationale

Increased blood viscosity can occur in newborns of mothers with poorly controlled diabetes due to polycythemia (an abnormally high number of red blood cells). However, this is not the most likely cause of respiratory distress syndrome in a term macrosomic newborn.