A nurse is admitting a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation and is in preterm labor. The client has a new order for betamethasone and asks the nurse about the purpose of this medication. The nurse should provide which of the following explanations?

"It promotes fetal lung maturity."

"It halts cervical dilation."

"It increases the fetal heart rate."

"It is used to stop preterm labor contractions."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: This statement is correct, as betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of delivering before 34 weeks of gestation. Betamethasone stimulates the production of surfactant, which is a substance that prevents the alveoli from collapsing and improves the lung function of the fetus.

Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect, as betamethasone does not affect the cervical dilation, which is a sign of labor progression. Betamethasone does not stop or delay labor, but rather reduces the complications of prematurity, such as respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, or necrotizing enterocolitis.

Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect, as betamethasone does not increase the fetal heart rate, which is a measure of fetal well-being. Betamethasone may cause transient fetal bradycardia, which is a decrease in the fetal heart rate, due to the increased vagal tone and blood pressure. The nurse should monitor the fetal heart rate and notify the provider if there are any signs of fetal distress.

Choice D reason: This statement is incorrect, as betamethasone is not used to stop preterm labor contractions, which are caused by the uterine muscle activity. Betamethasone does not have any tocolytic effect, which is the ability to inhibit uterine contractions. Other medications, such as magnesium sulfate, nifedipine, or indomethacin, may be used to stop preterm labor contractions.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Placenta previa is a condition where the placenta covers the cervix partially or completely. It can cause painless vaginal bleeding, but not abdominal pain.

Choice B reason: Prolapsed cord is a condition where the umbilical cord slips through the cervix and protrudes into the vagina or beyond. It can cause fetal distress, but not abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding.

Choice C reason: Incompetent cervix is a condition where the cervix dilates prematurely and painlessly. It can cause preterm labor and delivery, but not abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding.

Choice D reason: Abruptio placentae is a condition where the placenta separates from the uterine wall before delivery. It can cause severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and fetal distress. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention.

A. Location of the placenta B. The biparietal diameter C. Fetal lung maturity D. Viability of the fetus

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: This statement is correct, as the ultrasound can help diagnose placenta previa, which is a condition where the placenta covers the cervical opening and can cause painless, bright red bleeding in the third trimester. Placenta previa is a serious complication that can affect the delivery and the fetal oxygenation.

Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect, as the biparietal diameter is a measurement of the fetal head that is used to estimate the gestational age and the fetal growth. The biparietal diameter is not related to the cause or the severity of the bleeding.

Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect, as the fetal lung maturity is an assessment of the surfactant level in the amniotic fluid that is used to predict the risk of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants. The fetal lung maturity is not related to the cause or the severity of the bleeding.

Choice D reason: This statement is incorrect, as the viability of the fetus is an evaluation of the fetal heart rate, movement, and tone that is used to determine the fetal well-being and distress. The viability of the fetus is not related to the cause or the severity of the bleeding, although it can be affected by it.

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A nurse is admitting a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation and is in preterm labor. The client has a new order for betamethasone and asks the nurse about the purpose of this medication. The nurse should provide which of the following explanations?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse in the antepartum unit is caring for a client who is at 36 weeks of gestation and has pregnancy-induced hypertension. Suddenly, the client reports continuous abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. The nurse should suspect which of the following complications?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is admitting a client who is at 30 weeks of gestation and is in preterm labor. The client has a new order for betamethasone and asks the nurse about the purpose of this medication. The nurse should provide which of the following explanations?

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