RN Exam Practice
Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 1388 of 2368

A client at 30 weeks is in preterm labor and receives a tocolytic. How should the nurse explain the purpose of this medication?

  1. It prevents infection of the fetal membranes while the labor continues.
  2. It slows contractions so corticosteroids can help the baby's lungs mature.
  3. It lowers the client's blood pressure to prevent seizures during labor.
  4. It allows the cervix to dilate more quickly so delivery can happen sooner.
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Correct answer: It slows contractions so corticosteroids can help the baby's lungs mature.

Tocolytics reduce strength and frequency of contractions, giving time for antenatal corticosteroids to promote fetal lung maturity.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), High-risk Perinatal Client Care: Preterm Labor. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026