A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted in preterm labor at 33 weeks gestation.
The provider has ordered betamethasone 12 mg IM every 24 hours.
Before administering the medication, what should the nurse include in client teaching?
This medication is used to increase fetal surfactant production.
This medication increases the fetal heart rate.
This medication is used to increase amniotic fluid levels.
This medication is used to stop preterm labor contractions.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that accelerates fetal lung maturity by increasing the production of surfactant, which reduces respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants.
Choice B rationale
While betamethasone can cause transient increases in fetal heart rate, its primary purpose is not to increase fetal heart rate. Its role is in enhancing lung maturity.
Choice C rationale
Betamethasone does not directly increase amniotic fluid levels. Its main function is in the maturation of fetal lungs.
Choice D rationale
Betamethasone is not used to stop preterm labor contractions. It is used to accelerate fetal lung development in preterm labor cases.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Placenta formation begins shortly after implantation, but it continues to develop throughout the first trimester and into the early second trimester, making it less precise to attribute the
first 8 weeks solely to this process.
Choice B rationale
Fertilization occurs within the first week after ovulation, marking the beginning of pregnancy, but it is a singular event that happens prior to the developmental processes vulnerable to teratogens.
Choice C rationale
Organogenesis is the critical period during which the major organs and structures of the fetus form, typically occurring between the third and eighth weeks of gestation. This is the
time when the fetus is most susceptible to the effects of teratogens, which can cause congenital anomalies.
Choice D rationale
Implantation occurs approximately 6-10 days after fertilization, embedding the blastocyst into the uterine lining. While crucial, it is not the primary period when teratogenic effects are
most significant, as this happens during organogenesis.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Acknowledging the client’s feelings provides emotional support and validates her experience. This response opens the door for further discussion and support, which is crucial for emotional well-being.
Choice B rationale
Suggesting future possibilities does not address the client's current emotional state. It may come across as dismissive of her feelings and does not offer the immediate support she needs.
Choice C rationale
While emphasizing the health of the baby is positive, it can also be perceived as dismissive of the client's feelings and her disappointment about the birth experience.
Choice D rationale
Mentioning the resumption of sexual relations shifts the focus away from her emotional needs and can be inappropriate or insensitive in this context, failing to address her disappointment.