Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 86%
Simulated
A client who is positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae vaginally delivered a newborn. Which medication should the nurse administer to the newborn?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Erythromycin ointment is the appropriate medication to administer to the newborn.
Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is routinely administered to all newborns shortly after birth to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum. This condition, if untreated, can lead to severe conjunctivitis and potential blindness, especially when the mother is infected with *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* or *Chlamydia trachomatis*. The ointment provides effective prophylaxis against these bacterial infections acquired during passage through the birth canal, making it crucial for a newborn whose mother tested positive for gonorrhea.
A: Latanoprost eye drops. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog used to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure. It has no antimicrobial properties and is not indicated for the prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum or any other newborn eye infection.
C: Tetracaine eye drops. Tetracaine is a topical local anesthetic. While it can numb the eye, it offers no protection against bacterial infections like *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*. Administering an anesthetic without antimicrobial action would leave the newborn vulnerable to ophthalmia neonatorum.
D: Neomycin ointment. Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, but it is not the standard or recommended prophylactic agent for ophthalmia neonatorum. Erythromycin is specifically chosen due to its efficacy against *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* and *Chlamydia trachomatis*, and its lower incidence of adverse effects for this purpose.
Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is routinely administered to all newborns shortly after birth to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum. This condition, if untreated, can lead to severe conjunctivitis and potential blindness, especially when the mother is infected with *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* or *Chlamydia trachomatis*. The ointment provides effective prophylaxis against these bacterial infections acquired during passage through the birth canal, making it crucial for a newborn whose mother tested positive for gonorrhea.
A: Latanoprost eye drops. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog used to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure. It has no antimicrobial properties and is not indicated for the prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum or any other newborn eye infection.
C: Tetracaine eye drops. Tetracaine is a topical local anesthetic. While it can numb the eye, it offers no protection against bacterial infections like *Neisseria gonorrhoeae*. Administering an anesthetic without antimicrobial action would leave the newborn vulnerable to ophthalmia neonatorum.
D: Neomycin ointment. Neomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic, but it is not the standard or recommended prophylactic agent for ophthalmia neonatorum. Erythromycin is specifically chosen due to its efficacy against *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* and *Chlamydia trachomatis*, and its lower incidence of adverse effects for this purpose.