After watching the nurse place ointment in his baby's eyes, a new father asks what the medication is and why it is needed. The nurse explains that the purpose of the erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is to:
a. Prevent the baby's eyelids from sticking together and to help the baby see
b. Prevent infection of the baby's eyes with gonorrhea and Chlamydia potentially acquired from the birth canal
c. Destroy an infection caused by staphylococci that can cause blindness
d. Prevent potentially harmful exudate from invading the tear ducts, leading to dry eyes
ANS: B
The newborn can acquire an eye infection, such as Chlamydia or gonorrhea, when passing through an infected birth canal. Prophylaxis against gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, an infection that can cause blindness, is required for all newborns. Erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is commonly used because it is also effective against the Chlamydia organism.
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