A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin ophthalmic ointment to a newborn. The newborn's parent asks about the purpose of the medication.
Which is the best response from the nurse?
A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin ophthalmic ointment to a newborn. The newborn's parent asks about the purpose of the medication.
Which is the best response from the nurse?
A. To prevent conjunctivitis caused by group B streptococcus
[37%]
B. To prevent eye infections from chlamydia and gonorrhea
[56%]
C. To treat neonatal jaundice
[1%]
D. To protect the newborn’s eyes from birth trauma
[6%]
Statistics
Subject/Lesson
Subject
Maternal & Newborn Health
Lesson
Newborn
Client Need
Test Plan
Health Promotion and Maintenance
Related Topic
Ante/Intra/Postpartum and Newborn Care
Item Type
Item Type
Application
Explanation
Choice B is correct. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is administered within 1–2 hours after birth to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, especially from exposure to gonorrhea or chlamydia during vaginal delivery.
Choice A is incorrect. Group B streptococcus typically causes sepsis, pneumonia, or meningitis—not conjunctivitis.
Choice C is incorrect. Jaundice is treated with phototherapy, not erythromycin.
Choice D is incorrect. Eye protection from trauma is not the purpose of this ointment.
Learning Objective
Explain the rationale for standard newborn preventive treatments immediately following birth.
Related Videos
2 Key Topics
Newborn Assessment
31.1 Immediate Newborn Evaluation
Additional Info
✓ This treatment is mandated by law in many states as a preventive public health measure.
✓ Parents must sign a waiver to decline this medication.
