MEDizzy - When instilling erythromycin ointment into the eyes of a

Feed Library Learning Discuss Leaderboard Journal

The Postpartal Client with a Vaginal Birth

When instilling erythromycin ointment into the eyes of a neonate 1 hour old, the nurse would explain to the parents that the medication is used to prevent which of the following?

ExplanationThe instillation of erythromycin into the neonate’s eyes provides prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum, or neonatal blindness caused by gonorrhoea in the mother. Erythromycin is also effective in the prevention of infection and conjunctivitis from Chlamydia trachomatis. The medication may result in redness of the neonate’s eyes, but this redness will eventually disappear. Erythromycin ointment is not effective in treating neonatal chorioretinitis from cytomegalovirus. No effective treatment is available for a mother with cytomegalovirus. Erythromycin ointment is not effective in preventing cataracts. Additionally, neonatal infection with beta-hemolytic streptococcus results in pneumonia, bacterial meningitis, or death. Cataracts in the neonate may be congenital or may result from maternal exposure to rubella. Erythromycin ointment is also not effective for preventing and treating strabismus (crossed eyes). Infants may exhibit intermittent strabismus until 6 months of age.