Preterm birth: antenatal corticosteroids: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Preterm birth: antenatal corticosteroids

Sample item

Why are antenatal corticosteroids given when preterm delivery is expected soon?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. To accelerate fetal lung maturation and reduce neonatal respiratory morbidity

Antenatal corticosteroids improve fetal lung maturation and reduce several complications of prematurity when preterm birth is anticipated. Timing and eligibility follow gestation-specific guidance.

Option by option

  • A. To stop postpartum hemorrhage

    They are not uterotonics for postpartum hemorrhage.

  • B. To treat neonatal sepsis directly

    They do not directly treat infection in the newborn.

  • C. To accelerate fetal lung maturation and reduce neonatal respiratory morbidity (correct)

    Correct. Their major purpose is reducing prematurity-related respiratory disease.

  • D. To induce maternal ovulation

    Ovulation is irrelevant in established pregnancy.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is C, To accelerate fetal lung maturation and reduce neonatal respiratory morbidity. Antenatal corticosteroids improve fetal lung maturation and reduce several complications of prematurity when preterm birth is anticipated.

Why is "To stop postpartum hemorrhage" not the answer?

They are not uterotonics for postpartum hemorrhage.

Why is "To treat neonatal sepsis directly" not the answer?

They do not directly treat infection in the newborn.

Why is "To induce maternal ovulation" not the answer?

Ovulation is irrelevant in established pregnancy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Preterm birth: antenatal corticosteroids in OBG. Timing and eligibility follow gestation-specific guidance.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Preterm birth: antenatal corticosteroids?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.