What is the expected outcome of betamethasone administration to a client in preterm labor?

Betamethasone is a corticosteroid that is administered to women experiencing preterm labor to enhance fetal lung maturity. When given to a mother, betamethasone promotes the production of surfactant in the fetal lungs, which is essential for reducing surface tension in the alveoli and preventing collapse. This process significantly improves the respiratory function of the neonate after birth, especially in cases of preterm delivery.

The expected outcome of administering betamethasone is that the neonate's lungs will be more developed, leading to a higher likelihood of better respiratory outcomes. By the time the mother gives birth, this intervention can result in a neonate that is born with mature lungs, which is critical in reducing the risk of complications such as respiratory distress syndrome.

Regarding the other options, while contractions may stabilize temporarily or even cease, this is not a guaranteed or common outcome of betamethasone. The administration does not prevent the birth from happening preterm or ensure that the neonate will be free of infections, nor does it ensure that the neonate will be born at term, as these outcomes depend on various factors including the progression of labor and maternal health. Thus, the key focus of betamethasone is the improvement