A premature infant with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) receives pulmonary surfactant in the NICU. You are the nurse caring for the mother of this baby on the Post Partum floor. How will you explain the use of surfactant for her infant?
a. "Surfactant improves the ability of your baby's lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, by improving respiratory compliance."
b. "The drug keeps your baby from requiring too much sedation."
c. "Surfactant is used to reduce episodes of periodic apnea."
d. "Your baby needs this medication to fight a possible respiratory tract infection."