Case Study: 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).