A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately following birth who has a prescription for erythromycin ophthalmic ointment.

The guardian refuses the medication. Which action should the nurse take?

Document the guardian’s refusal of the medication.

Inform the guardian that the medication can be given after discharge.

Report the guardian’s refusal of the medication to social services.

Notify the facility’s ethics committee about the guardian’s medication refusal.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A rationale
Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is administered to newborns to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, also known as ophthalmia neonatorum, specifically for Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection prevention. If the guardian refuses the administration of erythromycin, the healthcare provider should respect the guardian’s decision and document the refusal. It’s important to note that the refusal should be informed, meaning the guardian should understand the potential risks associated with not administering the medication.
Choice B rationale
Informing the guardian that the medication can be given after discharge may not be the best course of action. The purpose of the ointment is to prevent infection immediately after birth when the risk is highest. Delaying the administration could potentially increase the risk of the newborn developing an infection.
Choice C rationale
Reporting the guardian’s refusal of the medication to social services is not the first step unless there are other concerns about the safety or well-being of the child. The healthcare provider should respect the guardian’s autonomy and their right to make informed decisions about the newborn’s care.
Choice D rationale
Notifying the facility’s ethics committee about the guardian’s medication refusal is not typically necessary unless the refusal puts the newborn at significant risk and other attempts to resolve the situation have failed. In this case, the refusal of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, while not ideal, is not likely to warrant an ethics consultation.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale
The newborn’s symptoms of jitteriness, weak cry, mottled extremities with acrocyanosis, and rapid, unlabored respirations are indicative of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia in the newborn period can be caused by several factors, including maternal diabetes (gestational or pre- existing), preterm birth, and sepsis. The nurse should take actions to address this condition, such as ensuring the newborn is warm, initiating early feeding to provide the newborn with glucose, and monitoring blood glucose levels.
Choice B rationale
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is a group of problems that occur in a newborn who was exposed to addictive opiate drugs while in the mother’s womb. NAS can cause a wide range of symptoms such as excessive crying, poor feeding, and seizures. However, the symptoms described in the question are more indicative of hypoglycemia.
Choice C rationale
Cold stress can occur in newborns who are unable to maintain their body temperature within a normal range. While some of the symptoms described, such as mottled skin and acrocyanosis, can occur with cold stress, the presence of jitteriness and a weak cry are more indicative of hypoglycemia.
Choice D rationale
Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is a common problem in premature babies and is caused by a lack of surfactant in the lungs. While rapid, unlabored respirations can be a sign of RDS, the other symptoms described in the question, such as jitteriness and a weak cry, are not typically associated with RDS2.

A. The client reports that they take a multivitamin daily. B. The client reports a 4.5 kg (10 lb) weight gain since their positive pregnancy test. C. The client reports that they are nauseous most mornings. D. The client reports that they eat prunes to help manage their constipation.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale
Taking a multivitamin daily is generally recommended during pregnancy to ensure the mother and baby receive necessary nutrients. It does not indicate a need for referral to a dietitian.
Choice B rationale
A weight gain of 4.5 kg (10 lb) since a positive pregnancy test could be a concern depending on the timeframe. If this weight gain occurred rapidly, it could indicate issues such as fluid retention or inadequate nutrition, which would warrant a referral to a dietitian.
Choice C rationale
Nausea, particularly in the morning, is a common symptom of early pregnancy often referred to as “morning sickness”. It does not typically require dietary intervention unless it is severe (hyperemesis gravidarum), leading to weight loss and dehydration.
Choice D rationale
Eating prunes is a natural method to manage constipation, a common issue during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that slow digestion. This choice does not indicate a need for a dietitian referral.

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A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately following birth who has a prescription for erythromycin ophthalmic ointment. The guardian refuses the medication. Which action should the nurse take?

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Correct Answer is A

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Correct Answer is B

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A nurse is caring for a newborn immediately following birth who has a prescription for erythromycin ophthalmic ointment.

The guardian refuses the medication. Which action should the nurse take?