A nurse is administering erythromycin eye ointment to a newborn who has a history of allergic reaction to penicillin.

What should the nurse do before applying the ointment?

Ask the mother if she has any allergies to antibiotics

Check if there is any cross-sensitivity between erythromycin and penicillin

Apply a small amount of ointment on the skin to test for allergic reaction

Administer an antihistamine to prevent anaphylaxis

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

The correct answer is choice B. Check if there is any cross-sensitivity between erythromycin and penicillin. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that can be used to treat bacterial eye infections in newborns and adults.

Penicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic that can cause allergic reactions in some people.

Cross-sensitivity means that a person who is allergic to one type of antibiotic may also be allergic to another type of antibiotic that has a similar structure or mechanism of action. Erythromycin and penicillin have different structures and mechanisms of action, but there is still a small chance of cross-sensitivity between them.

Therefore, the nurse should check if the newborn has any history of allergic reaction to penicillin before applying the erythromycin eye ointment.

Choice A is wrong because asking the mother if she has any allergies to antibiotics is not enough to determine if the newborn is at risk of an allergic reaction to erythromycin.

The newborn may have inherited or developed an allergy to penicillin or erythromycin that the mother does not have.

Choice C is wrong because applying a small amount of ointment on the skin to test for allergic reaction is not a reliable method to diagnose an allergy. Skin testing can cause false positive or false negative results, and it may also trigger a severe allergic reaction in some cases.

Choice D is wrong because administering an antihistamine to prevent anaphylaxis is not appropriate for a newborn who has not been exposed to the allergen yet.

An antihistamine is a medication that blocks the effects of histamine, a chemical that causes allergic symptoms.

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that involves multiple organ systems and requires immediate medical attention. An antihistamine cannot prevent anaphylaxis, and it may also cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, or low blood pressure in a newborn.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A. Hypersensitivity.Erythromycin eye ointment is an antibiotic that can cause allergic reactions in some newborns, such as irritation, redness, swelling, or cloudy eyes.

This is a potential adverse reaction to this medication that the nurse should monitor for.

Choice B. Glaucoma is wrong because glaucoma is a condition that causes increased pressure in the eye and can damage the optic nerve.

It is not caused by erythromycin eye ointment.

Choice C. Cataracts is wrong because cataracts are a condition that causes clouding of the lens of the eye and can impair vision.

It is not caused by erythromycin eye ointment.

Choice D. Strabismus is wrong because strabismus is a condition that causes misalignment of the eyes and can affect depth perception.

It is not caused by erythromycin eye ointment.

Erythromycin eye ointment is used to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, which is an infection of the eye surface that affects newborns within the first month of life.It can be caused by bacteria such as chlamydia or gonorrhea that can enter the baby’s eyes during childbirth and cause permanent damage to the corneas.Erythromycin eye ointment can help prevent vision loss caused by these bacteria.

A. “I should use a clean cloth and warm water to wash around the umbilical cord.” B. “I should bathe him before a feeding so he won’t spit up.” C. “I should avoid getting water in his ears or eyes.” D. “I should avoid getting water in his ears or eyes.”

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

The correct answer is choice B.“I should bathe him before a feeding so he won’t spit up.” This statement indicates a need for further instruction because it is not advisable to bathe a newborn infant before a feeding, as this may cause hypoglycemia or cold stress.The mother should bathe the infant after a feeding or between feedings when the infant is alert and comfortable.

Choice A is wrong because it is correct to use a clean cloth and warm water to wash around the umbilical cord.This helps prevent infection and promotes drying of the cord stump.

Choice C is wrong because it is correct to avoid getting water in the infant’s ears or eyes.This helps prevent ear infections and eye irritation.

Choice D is wrong because it is correct to dry the infant thoroughly and dress him warmly after bathing.

This helps prevent heat loss

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A nurse is administering erythromycin eye ointment to a newborn who has a history of allergic reaction to penicillin. What should the nurse do before applying the ointment?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a newborn who has received erythromycin eye ointment as prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum. What should the nurse monitor for as a potential adverse reaction to this medication?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A postpartum nurse instructs a new mother in how to bathe her newborn. Which statement by the mother indicates a need for further instruction?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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A nurse is administering erythromycin eye ointment to a newborn who has a history of allergic reaction to penicillin.

What should the nurse do before applying the ointment?