Review Erythromycin Eye Ointment

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Erythromycin Eye Ointment

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Total Questions : 5

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Question 1:

A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin eye ointment to a newborn.

What is the purpose of this intervention?

A. To prevent dryness and irritation of the eyes B. To prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, a serious eye infection caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia C. To prevent retinopathy of prematurity, a condition that can lead to blindness in premature infants D. To prevent conjunctivitis, a common eye infection in newborns

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

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 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 C:

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:

Erythromycin eye ointment does not prevent conjunctivitis, a common eye infection in newborns.

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Question 2:

A nurse is checking the medication label of erythromycin eye ointment before applying it to a newborn’s eyes.

What information should the nurse verify on the label? (Select all that apply)

A. Name of the medication B. Dose of the medication C. Expiry date of the medication D. Route of administration of the medication E. Frequency of administration of the medication

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

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 B:

Choice C:

Choice D:

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:

The frequency of administration of the medication is also already known. Erythromycin eye ointment is usually applied once soon after birth.

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Question 3:

A nurse is applying erythromycin eye ointment to a newborn’s eyes.

How much ointment should the nurse squeeze into the lower conjunctival sac of each eye?

A. 0.25 cm B. 0.5 cm C. 1 cm D. 2 cm

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

0.25 cm is too short and may not provide adequate coverage of the eye

Choice B:

According to the PEDIATRIC NEWBORN MEDICINE CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES, a thin strip of erythromycin eye ointment should be applied to the lower conjunctival sac of each eye of the newborn within 24 hours after birth.

The length of the strip should be approximately 0.5 cm (or 1/4 inch).This is done to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, also known as ophthalmia neonatorum, which is a serious eye infection caused by bacteria such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Choice C:

1 cm is too long and may cause excessive ointment to spill out of the eye.

Choice D:

2 cm is way too long and may cause irritation and discomfort to the eye.

The normal range for erythromycin eye ointment application is 0.5 cm to 1 cm, but the recommended dose is 0.5 cm.

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Question 4:

A nurse is applying erythromycin eye ointment to a newborn’s eyes.

What should the nurse do after applying the ointment?

A. Rub or wipe the eyes gently to spread the ointment evenly B. Do not rub or wipe the eyes after applying the ointment C. Rinse the eyes with sterile saline solution to remove excess ointment D. Cover the eyes with sterile gauze pads to protect them from light.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

Rubbing or wiping the eyes gently does not spread the ointment evenly and can cause harm to the newborn’s eyes.

Choice B:

Rubbing or wiping the eyes can cause irritation and remove the ointment from the conjunctival sac, where it is supposed to act against bacterial infections.

Choice C:

Rinsing the eyes with sterile saline solution can wash away the ointment and reduce its effectiveness.

Choice D:

Covering the eyes with sterile gauze pads can interfere with eye-to-eye contact between the newborn and parents, which is important for bonding and attachment.

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Question 5:

A nurse is teaching a new mother about erythromycin eye ointment for her newborn.

What should the nurse include in the teaching? (Select all that apply)

A. The ointment may cause minor ocular irritation or redness that lasts for 24-48 hours B. The ointment may cause temporary blurred vision that affects the newborn’s ability to see C. The ointment may increase the risk of bleeding if the newborn is also given vitamin K injection D. The ointment is required by law in all states of the United States to prevent eye infections in newborns E. The ointment should be administered within 1-2 hours of birth to be effective.

Answer and Explanation

Choice A:

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:

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:

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:

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.

Choice 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.

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Erythromycin Eye Ointment

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