A nurse is administering betamethasone to a client who is in pre-term labor at 28 weeks of gestation.

The nurse should explain that the purpose of this medication is to:

A. Referral to community services for support.

Referral to community services for support is an important part of the discharge plan for a client in preterm labor.Community services can provide education, counseling, home visits, and other resources to help the client cope with preterm labor and prevent complications.

B. Encouragement to smoke in moderation.Statement is wrong because smoking is harmful for the unborn baby and can increase the risk of preterm labor.Smoking should be avoided completely during pregnancy and the client should be advised to quit or seek help to quit.

C. Instructions for heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.Statement is wrong because heavy lifting and strenuous exercise can trigger contractions and worsen preterm labor.The client should be instructed to rest as much as possible and avoid activities that may cause uterine irritation or bleeding.

D. Recommendation to avoid kangaroo care.Statement is wrong because kangaroo care, or skin-to-skin contact with the baby, is beneficial for both the mother and the baby after birth.Kangaroo care can help regulate the baby’s temperature, heart rate, breathing, and blood sugar levels, as well as promote bonding, breastfeeding, and infection prevention.The client should be encouraged to practice kangaroo care as soon as possible after delivery.

History of urinary tract infections.According to the Mayo Clinic, untreated vaginal infections, such as urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted infections, are risk factors for preterm labor.

These infections can cause inflammation and irritation of the cervix, which can trigger contractions and cervical dilation.

Choice B is wrong because maternal age of 25 years is not a risk factor for preterm labor.In fact, women younger than 18 or older than 35 are more likely to have a preterm delivery.

Choice C is wrong because singleton pregnancy is not a risk factor for preterm labor.On the contrary, being pregnant with twins, triplets, or more (called "multiple gestations") is associated with a higher risk of preterm labor and birth.

Choice D is wrong because cervical length of 3 cm is not a risk factor for preterm labor.A short cervix (less than 2.5 cm) or a cervix that shortens in the second trimester instead of the third trimester is a risk factor for preterm delivery.A normal cervical length ranges from 3 to 5 cm during pregnancy.