Before administering terbutaline (Brethine) for preterm labor, which condition should the nurse assess for?

The administration of terbutaline, a beta-agonist used to manage preterm labor, requires careful consideration of the patient's overall health status. One important condition to assess for is gestational diabetes. This is because terbutaline can potentially cause elevated blood sugar levels due to its mechanism of action, which stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors and can influence glucose metabolism.

In the case of a patient with undiagnosed or poorly managed gestational diabetes, administering terbutaline could exacerbate hyperglycemia, putting both the mother and the fetus at risk. Thus, assessing for gestational diabetes is crucial before administration to ensure the patient's health and the safety of the fetus are not compromised.

Other conditions such as elevated blood pressure, urinary tract infections, and swelling in the lower extremities may also be important in the context of preterm labor management, but they do not have the same direct and immediate implications regarding terbutaline administration.