A nurse is admitting a patient who is at 30 weeks of gestation and is in preterm labor.The patient has a new prescription for betamethasone and asks the nurse about the purpose of this medication. Which explanation should the nurse provide?

Choice A rationale
While it is important to monitor a client’s temperature regularly, especially if they have a fever, simply checking the client’s temperature in 4 hours is not an adequate response to a temperature of 38.9°C (102°F) in a woman who is at 38 weeks of gestation and in early labor with ruptured membranes. This could indicate an infection, which could be dangerous for both the mother and the baby.
Choice B rationale
Administering glucocorticoids intramuscularly is not typically the first-line treatment for a fever in a pregnant woman. Glucocorticoids are often used to accelerate fetal lung maturity in preterm labor, but they are not typically used to treat infections or fevers.

Choice C rationale
Preparing the client for an emergency cesarean section may be necessary if the client’s condition worsens or if there are other complications, but it is not the immediate response to a fever. The first step would be to identify and treat the cause of the fever, which could be an infection.
Choice D rationale
Administering acetaminophen orally is an appropriate nursing action for a client with a fever. Acetaminophen can help to reduce the client’s fever and make her more comfortable. However, it is also important to identify and treat the underlying cause of the fever, which could be an infection.

Choice A rationale

Hypomagnesemia is not typically a primary concern for newborns of mothers with diabetes mellitus. While it can occur in newborns, it is not directly related to macrosomia or maternal diabetes.
Choice B rationale
Hypocalcemia can occur in newborns, especially preterm infants, infants of diabetic mothers, and those with perinatal asphyxia. However, it is not the primary concern in this scenario.
Choice C rationale
Hyperbilirubinemia can occur in newborns for a variety of reasons, including prematurity, blood group incompatibility, and other factors. While infants of diabetic mothers may have an increased risk of jaundice, it is not the primary concern in this scenario.
Choice D rationale
Hypoglycemia is the correct answer. Infants of diabetic mothers are at risk for hypoglycemia after birth. During pregnancy, the fetus produces extra insulin in response to the mother’s high blood glucose levels. After birth, the newborn continues to produce extra insulin for a short time until it adjusts to normal glucose-insulin balance. This can lead to hypoglycemia, which is a primary concern and requires immediate attention.