Question

The nurse has a routine prescription to instill erythromycin ointment into the eyes of a newborn. Which statement, if made by the mother, demonstrates understanding of why this medication is used?

Answer 1

Complete Question:

The nurse administers erythromycin ointment (0.5%) to the eyes of a newborn and the mother asks the nurse why this is performed. Which explanation is best for the nurse to provide about neonatal eye prophylaxis?

1. Protects the newborn's eyes from possible infections acquired while hospitalized.

2. Prevents cataracts in the newborn born to a woman who is susceptible to rubella.

3. Minimizes the spread of microorganisms to the newborn from invasive procedures during labor.

4. Prevents an infection called ophthalmia neonatorum from occurring after delivery in a newborn born to a woman with an untreated gonococcal infection.

Answer:

4. Prevents an infection called ophthalmia neonatorum from occurring after delivery in a newborn born to a woman with an untreated gonococcal infection.

Explanation:

Ophthalmia Neonatorum is an eye infection that affects newborns within the first 30 days after birth. It is also known as “conjunctivitis of the newborn) and is caused by contact of the newborn’s eyes with the birth canal of a mother who has an untreated sexually-transmitted infection like Gonnorrhea.

The newborn is usually treated with an erythromycin eye ointment instilled onto the eyes.