Which medication should be administered to a patient diagnosed with transposition of the great vessels?

In the context of transposition of the great vessels, Prostaglandin E is critical for managing this condition, particularly in neonates. This congenital heart defect results in the aorta and pulmonary artery being switched, which can lead to inadequate mixing of oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Prostaglandin E helps by keeping the ductus arteriosus open, which is an essential pathway to allow some mixing of blood between the systemic and pulmonary circulations. This is vital for maintaining adequate oxygenation until the patient can undergo surgical correction, which is usually required soon after diagnosis.

In contrast, other medications mentioned do not serve this purpose. Ibuprofen is generally used for pain relief and inflammation but can be counterproductive in the setting of transposition of the great vessels, as it can lead to closure of the ductus arteriosus. Betamethasone is a steroid used to reduce inflammation and may be relevant in other contexts but does not address the critical need for maintaining ductal patency in this specific congenital heart condition. Indocin (indomethacin) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that also can cause closure of the ductus arteriosus, which is not desirable in this scenario.