A client at 30 weeks of gestation is experiencing pre-term labor.

Which intervention should the nurse anticipate to suppress uterine contractions?

Administering intravenous fluids

Administering tocolytics

Administering corticosteroids

Administering antibiotics

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Tocolytics are a category of drugs used to delay the labor process. These may be used in situations when a pregnant person begins showing signs of preterm labor —which is any time before 37 weeks of completed pregnancy. Tocolytics may help delay labor by two to seven days.

Some possible explanations for the other choices are:

• Choice A. Administering intravenous fluids.

This is not a correct answer because intravenous fluids are not effective in suppressing uterine contractions. They may be used to correct dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, which can sometimes trigger preterm labor, but they are not a primary intervention for preterm labor.

• Choice C. Administering corticosteroids.

This is not a correct answer because corticosteroids are not tocolytics. They do not stop or slow down uterine contractions, but they help accelerate fetal lung maturity and reduce the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and other complications of prematurity.

Corticosteroids are often given along with tocolytics, but they have a different function and mechanism of action.

• Choice D. Administering antibiotics.

This is not a correct answer because antibiotics are not tocolytics. They may be used to treat infections that can cause or complicate preterm labor, such as chorioamnionitis or group B streptococcus, but they do not directly affect uterine contractions.

Antibiotics may be given along with tocolytics, but they have a different function.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Lying on one’s back with knees bent while using the monitor is not recommended for women at risk of preterm labor, as it can put pressure on the inferior vena cava, a major vein leading back to the heart.This can cause low blood pressure and reduce blood flow to the uterus and the baby.A better position is to lie on one’s side with a pillow at the back for support.

Choice A is correct because emptying the bladder before applying the monitor can reduce interference from urine contractions and make the readings more accurate.

Choice C is correct because pressing the event marker every time one feels a contraction can help record the frequency and duration of uterine activity.

Choice D is correct because using the monitor for at least 1 hour twice a day can provide sufficient data on uterine contractions and help detect early signs of preterm labor.

A. “This medication will help prevent seizures in case I develop preeclampsia.” B. “This medication will help mature my baby’s lungs in case he is born early.” C. “This medication will help relax my uterus and stop contractions.” D. “This medication will help lower my blood pressure in case it gets too high.”

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

This medication will help relax my uterus and stop contractions.

Magnesium sulfate is a tocolytic, a medication used to suppress uterine contractions and delay preterm delivery.The exact mechanism through which magnesium sulfate inhibits contractions is unknown, but researchers believe it likely works by lowering calcium levels in the uterine muscles.

Choice A is wrong because magnesium sulfate is not used to prevent seizures in case of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine during pregnancy.Magnesium sulfate may be used to treat seizures if they occur with eclampsia, which is a severe complication of preeclampsia.

Choice B is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not help mature the baby’s lungs in case of preterm birth.

Magnesium sulfate may have some neuroprotective effects for the baby, but it does not affect lung development.Steroids are usually given to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery to help accelerate fetal lung maturation.

Choice D is wrong because magnesium sulfate does not lower blood pressure in case it gets too high.

Magnesium sulfate may have some vasodilatory effects, but it is not used as an antihypertensive agent.Other medications, such as hydralazine or labetalol, are used to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A client at 30 weeks of gestation is experiencing pre-term labor. Which intervention should the nurse anticipate to suppress uterine contractions?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is evaluating the understanding of a client who is at risk for pre-term labor and has been instructed to perform daily home uterine activity monitoring (HUAM). Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a client who is at 25 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor about the purpose and side effects of magnesium sulfate therapy. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A nurse is planning care for a pre-term infant who is in an incubator. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include to promote bonding between the infant and the parents?

A nurse is evaluating a client who is at 28 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor. Which of the following findings indicates that the client’s condition is improving?

A nurse is assessing a client for pre-term labor. Which diagnostic test should the nurse anticipate being ordered for this client?

A nurse is caring for a client who is in pre-term labor. Which of the following maternal complications is most likely to occur due to prolonged bed rest?

A nurse is planning discharge teaching for a client who is at 25 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor that was successfully stopped with tocolytic therapy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is assessing a client for pre-term labor. Which assessment finding would be most concerning and require immediate intervention?

A nurse is preparing to administer nifedipine to a client who is in pre-term labor. The nurse should withhold the medication and notify the provider if the client has which of the following conditions?

A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who had pre-term labor at 32 weeks of gestation and was prescribed bed rest at home. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A client at 30 weeks of gestation is experiencing pre-term labor.

Which intervention should the nurse anticipate to suppress uterine contractions?