A perinatal nurse has orders to administer betamethasone ...

[ghost!]

A perinatal nurse has orders to administer betamethasone (Celestone) to the following women in preterm labor. For which patient should the nurse question this order?
 
  A.
  Emergency cesarean section
  B.
  Fetal cardiac abnormalities
  C.
  Maternal diabetes
  D.
  Severe preeclampsia/eclampsia

Question 2

A nurse in the high-risk obstetrical unit monitors a student nurse preparing to give a patient a dose of betamethasone (Celestone). Which action by the student warrants intervention by the nurse?
 
  A.
  Assesses the patient's lung sounds prior to administration
  B.
  Draws up 12 mg in a syringe with a 20-gauge needle
  C.
  Gently shakes the medication before drawing it up
  D.
  Prepares to administer medication in the deltoid muscle

[poopface]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Betamethasone is contraindicated in women in whom there is a medical indication for childbirth (e.g., severe preeclampsia/eclampsia, cord prolapse, chorioamnionitis, abruptio placentae) and in women with systemic fungal infection.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Betamethasone should not be administered in the deltoid muscle, as it can cause local atrophy. It needs to be given in a larger muscle. The other actions are appropriate for this medication.

[ghost!]

Great answer, keep it coming

[bblaney]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it