A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is at 29 weeks of gestation and has pre-term labor.

Which of the following results indicates an infection that can trigger pre-term labor?

“This medication can cause premature closure of your baby’s ductus arteriosus.”

Indomethacin is a NSAID that can prevent the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are involved in preterm contractions.However, it can also cause constrictive effects on the fetal ductus arteriosus, which can lead to cardiac complications and oligohydramnios.The dosage and duration of indomethacin treatment should be carefully monitored.

Choice B is wrong because indomethacin does not increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.In fact, it may reduce the risk of bleeding by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Choice C is wrong because indomethacin does not cause jaundice in the baby.

Jaundice is caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood, which can be due to various factors such as blood group incompatibility, infection, or liver problems.

Choice D is wrong because indomethacin does not increase blood pressure during labor.It may actually lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.

Normal ranges for indomethacin dosage are 25 to 50 mg orally every 6 hours or 100 mg rectally every 12 hours for up to 48 hours.

Normal ranges for fetal ductus arteriosus diameter are 1.5 to 4 mm before 28 weeks of gestation and 1 to 3 mm after 28 weeks of gestation.

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is given to pregnant women who are at risk of preterm delivery to enhance fetal lung maturity.Betamethasone stimulates the production of surfactant, a substance that lubricates the lungs and prevents them from collapsing when the baby breathes.This reduces the risk of respiratory distress syndrome and other complications in preterm infants.

Choice A is wrong because betamethasone does not reduce inflammation in the uterus.

Choice C is wrong because betamethasone does not prevent infection in the amniotic fluid.

Choice D is wrong because betamethasone does not increase blood flow to the placenta.

Normal ranges for gestational age are 37 to 42 weeks.

Preterm birth is defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation.Antenatal corticosteroids are recommended for women between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation who are at risk of preterm delivery within 7 days, and may be considered for women at 23 weeks of gestation or between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation depending on the clinical scenario.