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. Glycogen.Preterm newborns have limited stores of glycogen, which is a substance made from glucose that is stored in the liver and muscle cells to be used later for energy.When blood glucose levels are low, the hormone glucagon signals the cells to convert glycogen back into glucose and release it into the bloodstream.However, preterm newborns have a reduced ability to produce glucagon and to use gluconeogenesis, which is the process of making new glucose from other sources.Therefore, they are at risk of hypoglycemia, which is a condition where blood glucose levels are too low to support normal brain function.

Choice B is wrong because glucose is the sugar that travels through the blood to fuel the cells, not a substance that is stored for later use.

Choice C is wrong because insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose from the blood, not a substance that is stored for later use.

Choice D is wrong because glucagon is a hormone that triggers the release of glucose from the liver and muscle cells, not a substance that is stored for later use.

A. Bulging fontanelle B. Sunken eyes C. Mottled skin D. Flaring nostrils

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The correct answer is choice A. Bulging fontanelle.

A bulging fontanelle is a sign of increased intracranial pressure, which can be caused by intracranial hemorrhage.

Late-onset VKDB is a condition that occurs in infants who have low levels of vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting.Most cases of late-onset VKDB present with intracranial hemorrhage.

Choice B. Sunken eyes is wrong because it is a sign of dehydration, not intracranial hemorrhage.

Choice C. Mottled skin is wrong because it is a sign of poor circulation or shock, not intracranial hemorrhage.

Choice D. Flaring nostrils is wrong because it is a sign of respiratory distress, not intracranial hemorrhage.

Normal ranges for vitamin K plasma concentrations are 0.2 to 3.2 ng/mL for adults and 0.15 to 1.5 ng/mL for infants.

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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 preterm newborn who has hypoglycemia due to inadequate gluconeogenesis. The nurse should understand that this condition occurs because preterm newborns have limited stores of which of the following substances?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a newborn who has late-onset VKDB due to exclusive breastfeeding and inadequate oral vitamin K supplementation. Which of the following findings should indicate a possible intracranial hemorrhage to the nurse?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is assessing a newborn’s vital signs at 1 hour of age. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a newborn who received vitamin K injection at birth. Which of the following coagulation factors should be activated by vitamin K?

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

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?

A nurse is caring for a newborn who has early-onset VKDB due to maternal use of anticoagulants during pregnancy. Which of the following interventions should the nurse anticipate for this newborn?

The nurse is teaching parents how to care for their son’s circumcision site after discharge from hospital using petroleum jelly and gauze dressing method. Which statement by parents indicates that they need further instruction?

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?