A Pregnant Patient Begins Active Labor at 30 Weeks' Gestation

A pregnant patient begins active labor at 30 weeks' gestation. The provider orders dexamethasone 6 mg intramuscularly to be given twice daily for 4 doses. The patient asks the nurse what effect this drug will have on the fetus. The nurse will tell her that the dexamethasone is given to:

A) improve cognitive function in the fetus.
B) improve fetal neuromotor development.
C) increase fetal weight and length.
D) increase lung development in the fetus.