In the management of preterm labor, which three therapies are commonly administered?

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Multiple Choice

In the management of preterm labor, which three therapies are commonly administered?

In preterm labor, the aim is to delay delivery enough to protect the baby’s health while reducing infection risk and promoting lung maturity. That’s typically achieved with three approaches: tocolytics to suppress contractions, glucocorticoids given to accelerate fetal lung development, and antibiotics for Group B Streptococcus prophylaxis or related infection prevention. Tocolytics buy time by slowing or stopping uterine contractions, which helps steroids take effect and allows for transfer to a facility if needed. Glucocorticoids, such as betamethasone or dexamethasone, speed up fetal lung maturation by increasing surfactant production, reducing the risk of respiratory distress after birth. Penicillin given in this setting helps prevent neonatal GBS infection, especially when GBS status is unknown or positive or when there is risk of rupture of membranes. Other choices don’t fit as well because antibiotics alone don’t delay labor or promote lung maturity, sedatives and bed rest aren’t effective management for preterm labor, and antivirals aren’t indicated in this scenario.

In preterm labor, the aim is to delay delivery enough to protect the baby’s health while reducing infection risk and promoting lung maturity. That’s typically achieved with three approaches: tocolytics to suppress contractions, glucocorticoids given to accelerate fetal lung development, and antibiotics for Group B Streptococcus prophylaxis or related infection prevention.

Tocolytics buy time by slowing or stopping uterine contractions, which helps steroids take effect and allows for transfer to a facility if needed. Glucocorticoids, such as betamethasone or dexamethasone, speed up fetal lung maturation by increasing surfactant production, reducing the risk of respiratory distress after birth. Penicillin given in this setting helps prevent neonatal GBS infection, especially when GBS status is unknown or positive or when there is risk of rupture of membranes.

Other choices don’t fit as well because antibiotics alone don’t delay labor or promote lung maturity, sedatives and bed rest aren’t effective management for preterm labor, and antivirals aren’t indicated in this scenario.

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