A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who is in the latent stage of labor and has pelvic pain with contractions.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Explanation

B. Wipe any excess medication from the inner canthus outward

Bacitracin ophthalmic ointment is an antibiotic medication commonly used to treat bacterial eye infections such as conjunctivitis.

Wiping any excess medication from the inner canthus outward, is important to prevent the accumulation of excessive ointment, which can cause discomfort and affect vision. Using a clean, sterile cotton ball or tissue, the nurse should gently wipe any excess ointment from the inner corner of the eye (inner canthus) and then move outward to remove the excess ointment.

Gently massaging the eyelid to facilitate absorption of the medication in (option A) is not recommended. It can potentially cause discomfort or further irritation to the affected eye, especially in a young child. The ointment will naturally spread across the eye as the child blinks.

Placing an occlusive dressing on the affected eye in (option C) is not necessary for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. It may impede proper air circulation and potentially worsen the infection. It is important to promote hygiene and prevent the spread of infection by encouraging proper handwashing and avoiding touching or rubbing the affected eye.

Instructing the guardian to apply erythromycin ophthalmic ointment every morning for 14 days in (option D) is not appropriate in this case. Erythromycin is an alternative antibiotic commonly used for conjunctivitis, but since the child has been prescribed bacitracin ophthalmic ointment, the appropriate course of treatment would be to follow the prescribed medication as directed by the healthcare provider.

Explanation:

A nasal cannula is a device used to deliver supplemental oxygen to a client. It consists of two prongs that are inserted into the client's nostrils and connected to an oxygen source. The nasal cannula is commonly used for low-flow oxygen delivery at a rate of 1 to 2 liters per minute (L/min).

The other options mentioned are not necessary supplies for the client upon discharge:

B- Petroleum jelly is not directly related to oxygen therapy and is not a required supply for the client. It is a common topical ointment used for various purposes such as moisturizing the skin or protecting the lips, but it is not specifically needed for oxygen administration.

C- An oxygen mask is an alternative device for oxygen delivery but is not typically used at a flow rate of 1 to 2 L/min. Oxygen masks are usually employed for higher flow rates or in specific clinical situations that require a different oxygen delivery method.

D- A reservoir bag is a component of some oxygen delivery systems, such as a non-rebreather mask or a bag-valve-mask device. However, at a flow rate of 1 to 2 L/min, a reservoir bag is not typically used. It is more commonly utilized in situations where higher oxygen concentrations or higher flow rates are required.