Author Question: A woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation receives two 12 mg doses of betamethasone ... (Read 41 times)

future617RT · **on:** Jun 27, 2018

A woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation receives two 12 mg doses of betamethasone intramuscularly. The purpose of this pharmacologic treatment is to

a. Stimulate fetal surfactant production.
b. Reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with ritodrine administration.
c. Suppress uterine contractions.
d. Maintain adequate maternal respiratory effort and ventilation during magnesium
sulfate therapy.

Question 2

What is the appropriate nursing response to a parent who asks, What should I do if my child cannot take a tablet?

a. You can crush the tablet and put it in some food.
b. Find out if the medication is available in a liquid form.
c. If the child can't swallow the tablet, tell the child to chew it.
d. Let me show you how to get your child to swallow tablets.

dantucker · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback
A Antenatal glucocorticoids given as intramuscular injections to the mother
accelerate fetal lung maturity.
B Inderal would be given to reduce the effects of ritodrine administration.
C Betamethasone has no effect on uterine contractions.
D Calcium gluconate would be given to reverse the respiratory depressive effects
of magnesium sulfate therapy.

Answer to Question 2

B
Feedback
A A tablet should not be crushed until it is determined that it will not alter the
effectiveness of the medication.
B A tablet should not be crushed without knowing whether it will alter the
absorption, effectiveness, release time, or taste. Therefore telling the parent to
find out whether the medication is available in liquid form is the most
appropriate response.
C A chewed tablet may have an offensive taste, and chewing it may alter its
absorption, effectiveness, or release time.
D Forcing a child, or anyone, to swallow a tablet is not acceptable and may be
dangerous.