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.
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Dehydration could be a result of prolonged nausea and vomiting, but it is not the primary condition. Dehydration is a complication, not the cause of the symptoms.
Choice B rationale
The patient is most likely experiencing Hyperemesis Gravidarum, a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It’s more extreme than the typical morning sickness experienced during pregnancy and can lead to weight loss and dehydration. The nurse should ensure the patient stays hydrated and monitor their weight. Antiemetic medications may be prescribed to help control the vomiting.
Choice C rationale
Gastroenteritis typically involves both vomiting and diarrhea, often accompanied by abdominal pain and fever. The patient’s symptoms do not indicate gastroenteritis.
Choice D rationale
Food poisoning is usually associated with consuming contaminated food or water and often involves symptoms such as abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which the patient does not report.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Providing the newborn with 15 mL glucose water after each feeding is not a recommended action for a newborn undergoing phototherapy for jaundice. While maintaining adequate hydration is important, feedings should consist of breast milk or formula, unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider.
Choice B rationale
Before starting phototherapy, it’s important to protect the newborn’s eyes from the light by applying eye patches. This can help prevent potential damage to the retinas.
Choice C rationale
Applying hydrating lotion to the newborn’s skin prior to treatment is not a recommended action for a newborn undergoing phototherapy for jaundice. The light needs to be able to penetrate the skin in order to break down the bilirubin, and applying lotion could potentially interfere with this process.
Choice D rationale
Turning the newborn every hour is not a recommended action for a newborn undergoing phototherapy for jaundice. While it’s important to change the newborn’s position regularly to ensure that all areas of the skin are exposed to the light, this does not need to be done on an hourly basis.
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