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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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Hypotension is not an expected finding in a client with severe preeclampsia. In preeclampsia, the client typically experiences hypertension (high blood pressure) rather than hypotension (low blood pressure). Hypotension may be concerning as it could indicate inadequate perfusion to vital organs.
Choice B rationale:
Headache is an expected finding in a client with severe preeclampsia. Headaches are a common symptom of preeclampsia and are often described as persistent and severe. They can result from increased blood pressure and possibly cerebral oedema.
Choice C rationale:
Tachycardia is not an expected finding in a client with severe preeclampsia. Tachycardia refers to an abnormally fast heart rate, but in preeclampsia, bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate) or a normal heart rate is more typical. Tachycardia could indicate other underlying issues.
Choice D rationale:
Polyuria is not an expected finding in a client with severe preeclampsia. Polyuria is characterized by excessive urination, and in preeclampsia, the opposite may occur due to decreased kidney perfusion, resulting in oliguria (reduced urine output).
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice B rationale:
The correct answer is Choice B, which is "Newborn hypoglycemia.”. Newborn hypoglycemia is a potential complication associated with maternal gestational diabetes. When a pregnant woman has gestational diabetes, her blood glucose levels can be elevated, leading to increased insulin production in the fetus. After birth, the baby's insulin production continues at a high level, which can result in a rapid drop in blood glucose levels, causing hypoglycemia. This condition can be serious and requires close monitoring and timely intervention to prevent complications in the newborn.
Choice A rationale :
Placenta previa is not a complication associated with maternal gestational diabetes. Placenta previa occurs when the placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, which can lead to bleeding during pregnancy and delivery. However, this condition is not directly related to gestational diabetes, and there is no physiological rationale connecting the two.
Choice C rationale
Small for gestational age (SGA) newborn is not a direct complication of maternal gestational diabetes. SGA refers to babies who are smaller in size than expected for their gestational age. While poorly controlled diabetes during pregnancy can lead to large babies (macrosomia), it is not typically associated with small babies.
Choice D rationale
Oligohydramnios, which is a condition characterized by low levels of amniotic fluid, is not a common complication associated with maternal gestational diabetes. Oligohydramnios can be caused by various factors, but it is not specifically linked to gestational diabetes.
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