Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing preterm labor at 29 weeks of gestation and has a prescription for betamethasone. Which of the following statements should the nurse make about the indication for medication administration?

a) "This will stop your contractions."
b) "It helps mature your baby's lungs."
c) "This prevents postpartum hemorrhage."
d) "It reduces fetal heart rate."

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the client that betamethasone helps mature the baby's lungs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should make the statement 'It helps mature your baby's lungs.'

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid medication that is given to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery. It promotes the development of the baby's lungs by helping to produce surfactant, a substance that keeps the air sacs in the lungs open and prevents respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.

By administering betamethasone to the client, the nurse is helping to enhance the baby's lung maturity and reduce the risk of complications associated with preterm birth.