Maternity Heartbeat Monitor Related

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A 32-week pregnant woman is admitted to the hospital in preterm labor. What is the most appropriate intervention to delay delivery?

  • A. Administer corticosteroids to promote fetal lung development
  • B. Provide an epidural for pain management
  • C. Give magnesium sulfate to inhibit uterine contractions
  • D. Begin oxytocin infusion to speed up labor
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Give magnesium sulfate to inhibit uterine contractions. Magnesium sulfate is used to delay preterm labor by relaxing the uterine muscles, thus decreasing contractions. This intervention helps to delay delivery and give time for other interventions to be implemented, such as administering corticosteroids to promote fetal lung development. Providing an epidural for pain management (B) does not address the issue of preterm labor. Beginning oxytocin infusion (D) would speed up labor, which is not appropriate in this scenario. Administering corticosteroids (A) is a beneficial intervention but should be done after delaying delivery with magnesium sulfate.