A client at 28 weeks of gestation is experiencing pre-term labor.
Which intervention should the nurse anticipate to enhance fetal lung maturity?
Administering intravenous fluids
Administering tocolytics
Administering corticosteroids
Providing emotional support
The Correct Answer is C
Administering corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are drugs that can speed up the development of the baby’s lungs and reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and other complications of preterm birth. They are usually given to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm delivery between 24 0/7 weeks and 33 6/7 weeks of gestation.
Choice A is wrong because administering intravenous fluids does not enhance fetal lung maturity.
It may be used to treat dehydration or prevent hypotension, but it has no effect on the baby’s lungs.
Choice B is wrong because administering tocolytics does not enhance fetal lung maturity.
Tocolytics are drugs that can delay preterm labor for a short time, but they do not improve the baby’s lung function.
Choice D is wrong because providing emotional support does not enhance fetal lung maturity.
It may help the mother cope with stress and anxiety, but it does not affect the baby’s lungs.
Fetal lung maturity is the condition of the baby’s lungs being able to breathe normally after birth. It involves several developmental processes, such as the formation of alveoli, bronchi, and surfactant.
Fetal lungs are usually mature by 36 weeks of gestation, but some babies may need steroids to speed up lung development if they are at risk of preterm birth.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that can be given to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm labor to enhance fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn.
Betamethasone stimulates the production of surfactant, a substance that helps the lungs expand and prevents them from collapsing.
Choice A is wrong because magnesium sulfate is used to prevent seizures in women with preeclampsia or eclampsia, not to enhance fetal lung maturity.
Choice B is wrong because nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that can be used to relax the uterine muscles and inhibit contractions in preterm labor, but it does not affect fetal lung development.
Choice D is wrong because ampicillin is an antibiotic that can be used to treat infections that may cause preterm labor, such as chorioamnionitis or group B streptococcus, but it does not have any direct effect on fetal lung maturation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Administering corticosteroids.Corticosteroids are drugs that can speed up the development of the baby’s lungs and reduce the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and other complications of preterm birth.They are usually given to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm delivery between 24 0/7 weeks and 33 6/7 weeks of gestation.
Choice A is wrong because administering intravenous fluids does not enhance fetal lung maturity.
It may be used to treat dehydration or prevent hypotension, but it has no effect on the baby’s lungs.
Choice B is wrong because administering tocolytics does not enhance fetal lung maturity.
Tocolytics are drugs that can delay preterm labor for a short time, but they do not improve the baby’s lung function.
Choice D is wrong because providing emotional support does not enhance fetal lung maturity.
It may help the mother cope with stress and anxiety, but it does not affect the baby’s lungs.
Fetal lung maturity is the condition of the baby’s lungs being able to breathe normally after birth.It involves several developmental processes, such as the formation of alveoli, bronchi, and surfactant.
Fetal lungs are usually mature by 36 weeks of gestation, but some babies may need steroids to speed up lung development if they are at risk of preterm birth.
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