Question

A nurse is caring for a client who is anemic at 32 weeks gestation and is in preterm labor. The provider prescribed betamethasone 12 mg IM. Which of the following outcomes should the nurse expect?

a) Decreased fetal movement.
b) Reduced risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the infant.
c) Increased maternal heart rate.
d) Elevated maternal blood pressure.

Answer 1

Administering betamethasone to an anemic pregnant woman in preterm labor at 32 weeks gestation typically leads to a reduced risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the preterm infant.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should expect the outcome of reduced risk of respiratory distress syndrome in the infant after administering betamethasone 12 mg IM to a client who is anemic at 32 weeks gestation and in preterm labor. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid used in the treatment to enhance fetal lung maturity and surfactant production, thereby decreasing the chances of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. It is not associated with decreased fetal movement, increased maternal heart rate, or elevated maternal blood pressure as primary outcomes.