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.