A 25-year-old presented to the labor and delivery unit with complaints of uterine cramping and lower back pain. The client denied any vaginal bleeding and had a history of preterm birth at 32 weeks (about 7 and a half months) gestation with her last pregnancy. The baby from that pregnancy is three years old has no developmental issues. The client’s gestational age is 30 weeks (about 7 months). She is O+, and all other lab values are normal. No evidence of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).

(Group Beta Strep is missing from the labs and most often is obtained at 35 – 37 weeks (about 8 and a half months) gestation. Without this information, it is often determined to treat the patient anyway, to protect a premature baby from the risk.)

What additional information should the nurse obtain from the client?
What nursing intervention is most appropriate in this situation?
What screening tests should be obtained to determine the risk for preterm labor?
If the client is in preterm labor, what medications would the nurse expect to be ordered, and what are the priorities for the nurse to assess post-administration? (Include dose, side effects and expected outcomes of the medication).

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