Question

A nurse is about to administer the ophthalmic preparation to a newly born neonate.

Which of the following is the correct statement regarding the medication?
1. It is administered to prevent the development of neonatal cataracts.
2. The medicine should be placed in the lower conjunctiva from the inner to outer
canthus.
3. The medicine must be administered immediately upon delivery of the baby.
4. It is administered to neonates whose mothers test positive for gonorrhea during
pregnancy.

Answer 1

The ophthalmic preparation for a newborn is to be placed in the lower conjunctiva from the inner to outer canthus to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis, including infections caused by N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement regarding the administration of ophthalmic preparation to a newly born neonate is that the medicine should be placed in the lower conjunctiva from the inner to outer canthus. This is a preventive measure against neonatal conjunctivitis, including gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum and inclusion conjunctivitis, which can result from exposure to bacteria like Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis during passage through the birth canal. While the medicine is commonly administered shortly after birth as a preventative standard practice, it is not exclusively for neonates whose mothers test positive for gonorrhea, and it is not intended to prevent the development of neonatal cataracts nor must it be administered immediately upon delivery.