Question

A nurse is caring for a neonate who was delivered at 30 weeks of gestation after his mother received two injections of betamethasone (Celestone). Because of the administration of betamethasone to the client's mother, the nurse should monitor the neonate for which of the following effects?

A. Tachycardia
B. Sternal retractions
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypothermia

Answer 1

The nurse should monitor the neonate for the following effect:

C. Hypoglycemia

Step-by-step explanation:

When a pregnant woman receives betamethasone (Celestone), it is typically given to accelerate the development of the fetal lungs in cases of preterm birth. Betamethasone is a corticosteroid medication that helps to promote the production and release of surfactant in the fetal lungs.

Surfactant is a substance that helps to reduce surface tension in the lungs, allowing them to inflate and function properly. However, one of the potential side effects of betamethasone administration is the suppression of insulin production in the fetal pancreas.

Insulin is responsible for regulating blood glucose levels, and if its production is suppressed, it can lead to a decrease in blood glucose levels, resulting in hypoglycemia in the neonate.

Therefore, it is important for the nurse to monitor the neonate for signs of hypoglycemia, such as lethargy, poor feeding, jitteriness, or low blood glucose levels on laboratory tests. Prompt identification and management of hypoglycemia are crucial to ensure the neonate's well-being.

To summarize, the nurse should monitor the neonate for the potential effect of hypoglycemia after the administration of betamethasone to the mother.

Answer 2

After the administration of betamethasone to the mother, the nurse should monitor the preterm neonate for hypoglycemia, a common effect of this medication in newborns.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a neonate delivered at 30 weeks of gestation whose mother received two injections of betamethasone should monitor the neonate for hypoglycemia. Betamethasone is administered to pregnant individuals to accelerate fetal lung maturation and reduce the risks of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants. While it can help with lung development, one of its side effects is that it may cause hypoglycemia in the newborn, which is a condition characterized by low blood sugar levels. Other effects, such as tachycardia, sternal retractions, and hypothermia may also occur but are not directly associated with the administration of betamethasone. Therefore, the nurse should be vigilant for signs of hypoglycemia, such as jitteriness, poor feeding, hypotonia, and respiratory difficulty.