Question

Tara goes into labor at 32 weeks of gestation. Conservative measures fail to suppress labor necessitating admission to the hospital.

Corticosteroids are administered to accelerate fetal lung maturity.

Tocolytic therapy with magnesium sulfate is successful.

Tara is discharged to home care. Nifedipine will be used to keep labor suppressed. She is restricted to bed rest with bathroom privileges.

3. How should the nurse prepare Tara for discharge?

Answer 1

The patient is advised to lie preferably in left lateral position and to take plenty of fluids. Prophylactic antibiotics is not routinely given and is recommended when there is evidence of infection. Nifidipine have been used to inhibit uterine contractions. Glucocorticoid therapy is employed to promote fetal lung maturation. Betamethasone is the steroid of choice.