A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing preterm labor at 29 weeks of gestation and has a prescription for betamethasone. Which of the following statements should the nurse make about the indication for medication administration?

The correct answer is A.

A. Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath can be a serious side effect of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) and may indicate a potential risk of a blood clot or other cardiovascular issues. It is crucial for the client to seek medical attention promptly if experiencing shortness of breath.

B. Breakthrough bleeding: Breakthrough bleeding is a common side effect of COCs, especially during the first few months of use. While it can be bothersome, it is generally not considered a serious adverse effect. However, the healthcare provider may need to adjust the dosage or type of contraceptive if breakthrough bleeding persists.

C. Vomiting: Vomiting can decrease the absorption of COCs, and if vomiting occurs within a few hours after taking the pill, a backup form of contraception may be needed. However, it is not necessarily an adverse effect that requires immediate notification unless it leads to an inability to take the medication consistently.

D. Breast tenderness: Breast tenderness is a common side effect of hormonal contraceptives and is generally not considered a serious adverse effect. Clients are often advised to monitor for changes in breast tenderness, but it does not require immediate notification.

The correct answer is D.

A. Slowing the client's rate of breathing is not directly related to the observed uniform decelerations. The primary concern is the fetal heart rate pattern.

B. Decreasing the rate of infusion of the maintenance IV solution is not the appropriate intervention for addressing the observed fetal heart rate decelerations. The focus should be on the oxytocin infusion rate.

C. Increasing the rate of infusion of the IV oxytocin is not the appropriate action.

The patient is already experiencing frequent and strong contractions, and increasing the oxytocin rate can exacerbate the decelerations and compromise fetal well-being.

D. Discontinuing the infusion of the IV oxytocin is the correct action.

The observed uniform decelerations are likely related to oxytocin-induced hyperstimulation of the uterus. Stopping or decreasing the oxytocin infusion allows for the uterine activity to decrease, potentially improving fetal heart rate patterns.