Final answer:
The nurse should inform the client that gonorrhea can cause significant eye infections in the neonate, specifically gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, which can result in vision loss or blindness without proper treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
In explaining to a client during her initial prenatal exam the importance of testing pregnant women for gonorrhea, the nurse should tell the client that gonorrhea can cause eye infections in the neonate, specifically a condition known as gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum. This condition is characterized by purulent discharge from the eyes that can lead to corneal scarring, vision loss, or permanent blindness if left untreated. The transmission of gonorrhea from mother to baby occurs during passage through the birth canal. To prevent such severe complications, it is standard practice to apply antibiotic ointment or drops to newborns' eyes shortly after birth.
Gonorrhea, caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, can be asymptomatic but still poses significant risks, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility in women if left untreated. In the case of neonatal exposure, the bacteria may infect the baby's eyes leading to gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum, which requires aggressive treatment to prevent serious health consequences.