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?

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

The correct answer is choice B. Lactic acidosis.

Lamivudine (Epivir) is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) used to treat chronic hepatitis B infection and HIV infection.

One of the rare but serious adverse effects of lamivudine is lactic acidosis, which is a condition where the blood becomes too acidic due to the accumulation of lactate.Lactic acidosis can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, rapid breathing, and low blood pressure.

Choice A is wrong because pancreatitis is not a common side effect of lamivudine.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.Pancreatitis is more likely to occur with other NRTIs such as didanosine (Videx) or stavudine (Zerit).

Choice C is wrong because hypothyroidism is not a common side effect of lamivudine.

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which regulate the metabolism and energy levels of the body.

Hypothyroidism can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair loss, and depression.

Hypothyroidism is more likely to occur with other drugs that interfere with thyroid function such as amiodarone (Cordarone) or lithium