A Woman in Preterm Labor at 30 Weeks of Gestation

A woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation receives two 12-mg intramuscular (IM) doses of betamethasone.What is the purpose of this pharmacologic intervention?

A) To stimulate fetal surfactant production
B) To reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with ritodrine administration
C) To suppress uterine contractions
D) To maintain adequate maternal respiratory effort and ventilation during magnesium sulfate therapy