A nurse is collecting data from a client who is 2 days postpartum. The client tells the nurse she cannot afford to pay for baby formula. The nurse should refer the client to which of the following members of the interprofessional team?

Fontanels are soft spots on an infant's skull where the bones have not yet fused together. The anterior fontanel, located at the front of the head, typically closes between 12 to 18 months of age. The posterior fontanel, located at the back of the head, usually closes by 2 to 3 months of age.

The other findings mentioned are typical developmental milestones for a 4-month-old infant:

1. Rolling from back to abdomen: By 4 months of age, it is expected that infants can roll from their back to their abdomen. This is a normal developmental milestone.
2. Moves objects to mouth: At 4 months, infants begin to develop hand-eye coordination and the ability to reach for objects. Bringing objects to the mouth is a typical behavior at this age as infants explore their environment.

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.