A nurse is preparing to administer eye drops to a child.

Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A Reason:

Attaching a pacifier to the newborn's clothing with a string can be dangerous, as it poses a risk of strangulation. Pacifiers should be used, but they should be the type with a handle designed for infant use.

Choice B Reason:

Placing the newborn face up on a pillow when sleeping is not recommended. The baby should be placed on their back on a firm and flat sleep surface, such as a crib mattress, without pillows, blankets, or other soft bedding items. This helps reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Choice C Reason:

Placing the newborn's crib near a heat vent during cold weather can lead to overheating, which is a risk factor for SIDS. It's important to maintain a comfortable room temperature for the baby and use appropriate sleep clothing to keep them warm without the need for additional heating devices near the crib.

Choice D Reason:

"I will make sure that I can fit one finger between the mattress and the side of my newborn's crib." This statement indicates an understanding of safe sleep practices for newborns. Ensuring that there is a small gap (about one finger's width) between the mattress and the side of the crib helps prevent the risk of suffocation or entrapment. It allows for proper airflow and reduces the risk of the baby getting stuck between the mattress and the crib.

Correct answer: A

a.This step is crucial because it helps maintain the sterility of the kit by ensuring that the nurse does not accidentally contaminate the sterile field with their body or clothing.This step ensures that the nurse's hands and arms do not cross over the sterile field, reducing the risk of contamination.

b.Opening the flap nearest to the nurse first can lead to contamination because the nurse's hands and arms might cross over the sterile field while opening the remaining flaps. This increases the risk of introducing pathogens into the sterile area, compromising the sterility required for the procedure.

c.Opening a side flap first can also compromise the sterility of the field. Similar to option (b), this action might result in the nurse's hands or arms moving over the sterile area, risking contamination.

d.Applying sterile gloves is an essential step in maintaining sterility, but it is not the first step. The nurse needs to prepare the sterile field before donning sterile gloves to ensure that the gloves themselves remain uncontaminated. If the nurse were to put on sterile gloves first, there is a risk of contaminating the gloves while opening the sterile kit, thereby defeating the purpose of using sterile gloves.