A nurse is assisting with the admission of a client who is in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation and has a new prescription for betamethasone. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
"The purpose of this medication is to increase the fetal heart rate.".
"The purpose of this medication is to halt cervical dilation.".
"The purpose of this medication is to stop preterm labour contractions.".
"The purpose of this medication is to boost fetal lung maturity.".
The Correct Answer is D
Choice D rationale:
The nurse should state, "The purpose of this medication is to boost fetal lung maturity.”. The rationale behind this choice is that betamethasone is a corticosteroid medication commonly administered to women at risk of preterm delivery between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation. Its primary goal is to accelerate fetal lung maturation by promoting the production of surfactant, a substance that coats the lungs and prevents their collapse. By enhancing lung development, the medication helps reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and other respiratory complications that premature infants might face. It does not directly impact fetal heart rate (Choice A), halt cervical dilation (Choice B), or stop preterm labor contractions (Choice C).
Choice A rationale:
The nurse should not state, "The purpose of this medication is to increase the fetal heart rate.”. Betamethasone does not affect the fetal heart rate, as it is primarily used to enhance lung maturity, as mentioned earlier. The incorrect statement may lead to confusion and misunderstanding of the medication's intended purpose.
Choice B rationale:
The nurse should not state, "The purpose of this medication is to halt cervical dilation.”. Betamethasone does not stop or halt cervical dilation. Its main action is on the fetal lungs to promote surfactant production. Cervical dilation is a natural process that occurs during labor and is not influenced by this medication.
Choice C rationale:
The nurse should not state, "The purpose of this medication is to stop preterm labor contractions.”. Betamethasone is not used to stop or prevent preterm labor contractions directly. Instead, its focus is on improving fetal lung maturity to enhance the baby's respiratory function once born prematurely.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale :
Vitamin K decreases the newborn's risk of jaundice. Rationale: This statement is incorrect. Vitamin K plays no direct role in reducing the risk of jaundice in newborns. Jaundice is primarily caused by the accumulation of bilirubin in the blood, which is a different issue than hemorrhagic disorders.
Choice B rationale
Vitamin K decreases the newborn's risk of healthcare-associated infections. Rationale: This statement is incorrect. Vitamin K is not related to reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections. Its main function is related to blood clotting and preventing hemorrhagic disorders.
Choice C rationale
Vitamin K decreases the newborn's risk of hemorrhagic disorders. Rationale: This statement is correct. Vitamin K is essential for the production of clotting factors in the blood, which helps prevent bleeding or hemorrhagic disorders in newborns. Newborns are born with low levels of vitamin K, so administering a vitamin K injection at birth is a common practice to prevent potential bleeding issues.
Choice D rationale
Vitamin K decreases the newborn's risk of complications from the Hepatitis B vaccine. Rationale: This statement is incorrect. Vitamin K is not directly related to reducing the risk of complications from the Hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine is designed to protect against Hepatitis B infection, and vitamin K is not involved in its efficacy or safety.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Vaginal hematoma is not the most significant risk in the 4th stage of labor. While vaginal hematomas can occur due to trauma during delivery, they are less common and usually manageable compared to other complications.
Choice B rationale:
Hypoglycemia is not a typical complication in the 4th stage of labor. This stage refers to the immediate postpartum period, during which the mother's blood sugar levels may decrease slightly, but it is not the greatest concern at this stage.
Choice C rationale:
Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the fetal membranes and amniotic fluid. While it can be a concern during labor, the question specifically refers to the 4th stage, which occurs after the delivery of the placenta. Chorioamnionitis is more relevant to earlier stages of labor.
Choice D rationale:
Uterine hemorrhage is the greatest risk during the 4th stage of labor. This stage, also known as the "placental stage,”. is when the uterus contracts to expel the placenta. If the uterus fails to contract adequately, it can lead to significant bleeding, known as postpartum hemorrhage. This is a critical concern that requires immediate attention to prevent complications.
Choice E rationale:
Dehiscence, which refers to the reopening of a surgical wound, is not a common complication during the 4th stage of labor. The 4th stage primarily focuses on uterine contraction and placental delivery, making dehiscence less relevant in this context.
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