A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin eye ointment to a newborn.
What is the purpose of this intervention?
To prevent dryness and irritation of the eyes
To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, a serious eye infection caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia
To prevent retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that can lead to blindness in premature infants
To prevent conjunctivitis, a common eye infection in newborns
The Correct Answer is B
The correct answer is choice B. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, a serious eye infection caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia. Erythromycin eye ointment is an antibiotic that kills bacteria and is used to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, which can lead to blindness if untreated. Erythromycin is the only approved agent available in the United States for prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum.
Choice A is wrong because erythromycin eye ointment does not prevent dryness and irritation of the eyes. It is used to treat bacterial eye infections like bacterial conjunctivitis, bacterial keratitis, blepharitis and infectious uveitis.
Choice C is wrong because erythromycin eye ointment does not prevent retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that can lead to blindness in premature infants. Retinopathy of prematurity is caused by abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina and is not related to bacterial infection.
Choice D is wrong because erythromycin eye ointment does not prevent conjunctivitis, a common eye infection in newborns.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by viruses, fungi, parasites or allergens, which erythromycin cannot treat. Erythromycin only prevents conjunctivitis caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","E"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A and E.The ointment should be administered within 1-2 hours of birth to be effective and may cause minor ocular irritation or redness that lasts for 24-48 hours.
Choice B is wrong because the ointment does not affect the newborn’s ability to see.The ointment may cause temporary blurred vision, but this does not impair the newborn’s vision development.
Choice C is wrong because the ointment does not increase the risk of bleeding if the newborn is also given vitamin K injection.Vitamin K injection is given to prevent bleeding disorders in newborns and has no interaction with erythromycin ointment.
Choice D is wrong because the ointment is not required by law in all states of the United States to prevent eye infections in newborns.
Some states have laws that mandate the use of erythromycin ointment for newborns, but others do not.However, it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a standard of care.
Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]
Explanation
The correct answer is choice A, B and C. The nurse should verify the name, dose and expiry date of the medication on the label before applying it to a newborn’s eyes.
This is to ensure that the medication is appropriate, safe and effective for the intended purpose.
Choice D is wrong because the route of administration of the medication is already known.Erythromycin eye ointment is applied to the lower eyelids of the newborn’s eyes.
Choice E is wrong because the frequency of administration of the medication is also already known.Erythromycin eye ointment is usually applied once soon after birth.
Erythromycin eye ointment is used for the prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis, which is an eye infection caused by bacteria that can enter the baby’s eyes during childbirth.It can cause serious complications such as blindness if left untreated.
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