Erythromycin Eye Ointment
Erythromycin Eye Ointment ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is applying erythromycin eye ointment to a newborn’s eyes.
What should the nurse do after applying the ointment?
Rubbing or wiping the eyes gently does not spread the ointment evenly and can cause harm to the newborn’s eyes.
Rubbing or wiping the eyes can cause irritation and remove the ointment from the conjunctival sac, where it is supposed to act against bacterial infections.
Rinsing the eyes with sterile saline solution can wash away the ointment and reduce its effectiveness.
Covering the eyes with sterile gauze pads can interfere with eye-to-eye contact between the newborn and parents, which is important for bonding and attachment.
The correct answer is choice B. Do not rub or wipe the eyes after applying the ointment. This is because rubbing or wiping the eyes can cause irritation and remove the ointment from the conjunctival sac, where it is supposed to act against bacterial infections.
Choice A is wrong because rubbing or wiping the eyes gently does not spread the ointment evenly and can cause harm to the newborn’s eyes.
Choice C is wrong because rinsing the eyes with sterile saline solution can wash away the ointment and reduce its effectiveness.
Choice D is wrong because covering the eyes with sterile gauze pads can interfere with eye-to-eye contact between the newborn and parents, which is important for bonding and attachment.