A Woman in Preterm Labor at 30 Weeks of Gestation

A woman in preterm labor at 30 weeks of gestation receives two 12-mg doses of betamethasone intramuscularly.The purpose of this pharmacologic treatment is to:

A) Stimulate fetal surfactant production
B) Reduce maternal and fetal tachycardia associated with ritodrine administration
C) Suppress uterine contractions
D) Maintain adequate maternal respiratory effort and ventilation during magnesium sulfate therapy