Final answer:
Antibiotic prophylaxis for a 2-year-old child with a cardiac malformation is primarily prescribed to prevent subacute bacterial endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart's inner lining. It also reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections post-surgery. The American Heart Association provides guidelines for these prophylactic regimens, particularly for at-risk patients awaiting procedures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse explains to the child's parents that the antibiotic prophylaxis prescribed for the 2-year-old child with a cardiac malformation will prevent subacute bacterial endocarditis. This condition is an infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocardium) that typically occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of the body, such as the mouth, spread through the bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in the heart. The American Heart Association recommends a regimen of antibiotics for certain patients at risk, to prevent this serious complication, especially before surgeries or dental procedures which can release bacteria into the bloodstream.
While prophylactic antibiotics are important to prevent infection after a surgical procedure, this practice also helps to lessen the risk of a hospital-acquired infection (HAI). Given as a preventive measure, it has been shown that pre-surgery antibiotic administration can cut the risk of HAI by almost half, which is crucial for a patient waiting for cardiac surgery. The use of prophylactic antibiotics must be balanced with the judicious use of these medications to prevent antibiotic resistance.