Final answer:
Ophthalmic ointment is administered to newborns by PNs to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, a severe eye infection that can lead to blindness. Antibacterial creams or drops, like erythromycin, are used in place of the older silver nitrate treatments. This preventative measure is legally mandated to protect newborns from infections acquired during birth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The PN (Practical Nurse) administers ophthalmic ointment in the eyes of a newborn to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, which is an inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae transmitted during childbirth. Historically, silver nitrate ointments were used, but now, topical antibiotics such as erythromycin are more common. This is a critical step because the conjunctivitis resulting from sexually transmitted bacteria like N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis acquired during a vaginal delivery can lead to serious complications, including corneal ulceration or perforation, which may result in vision loss or blindness. To mitigate these risks, hospitals are required by law to administer this prophylactic treatment to all infants.
Neonatal conjunctivitis is aggressively treated with antibiotics to stop the infection's spread, with causative agents identified through various tests such as bacterial cultures or Gram stain. Transmission of infectious diseases from mother to baby is a significant concern at birth, and preventative administrations, such as antibiotic drops or ointments, represent standard practice to safeguard the newborn's eye health against these infections.