A nurse is preparing to administer vitamin K IM to a newborn. Into which of the following muscles should the nurse inject the medication?

The correct answer is choice D. Uterine contraction lasting 2 min.

Choice A rationale:

Early decelerations in the FHR are usually not a concern during the second stage of labor. They are a normal physiological response to the compression of the fetal head during contractions and are generally considered benign.

Choice B rationale:

Pelvic pressure with contractions is a normal finding during the second stage of labor as the baby descends into the pelvis. It does not typically require reporting to the provider unless it is associated with other concerning symptoms.

Choice C rationale:

A bloody show from the vagina is a common and expected finding during the second stage of labor. It indicates that the cervix is dilating and effacing, which is a normal part of the labor process.

Choice D rationale:

A uterine contraction lasting 2 minutes is abnormal and could indicate uterine tachysystole, which can lead to fetal distress due to reduced uterine blood flow and oxygen to the fetus. This finding should be reported to the provider immediately.

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.