Eye Prophylaxis for Newborn (Erythromycin)
Included In This Lesson
Study Tools For Eye Prophylaxis for Newborn (Erythromycin)
Outline
Overview
- Given to protect from neonatal conjunctivitis or ophthalmia neonatorum caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea
Nursing Points
General
- Required by law in US
- Parents have the right to refuse
- These conditions are transmitted to newborn in birth canal by mother infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia
- If not treated, can ultimately cause blindness
Assessment
- Assess eyes for redness or drainage
Therapeutic Management
- Give by 1 hours of life
- Open eyes
- Apply ointment from inner canthus to outer
- Don’t wipe off, will absorb
Nursing Concepts
- Pharmacology
- Infection control
Patient Education
- Educate mother/support system about this before you apply
- Educate mother/support system not to wipe it off
Transcript
In this lesson I will help you understand the use of eye prophylaxis for the newborn and your role in this care.
Eye prophylaxis is given after delivery and is required by law in US. Parents can always refuse but it is mandated by the states. Transmission occurs from the newborn passing through the birth canal of a mother infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia. This causes conjunctivitis that can even lead to blindness If not treated. So this treatment is erythromycin eye ointment that is given to every newborn at delivery.
Assessment will be to check eyes for redness or drainage which would be signs of infection. The management will be administering the eye prophylaxis. This should be given by 1 hour of life by opening eyes and applying the ointment from the inner canthus to outer. And we don’t want to wipe it off, it will absorb.
Education will be for the parents on why we are applying this and then also to not wipe it off.
Pharmacology and infection control are the nursing concepts because this medication will hopefully prevent infection.
Eye ointment is an antibiotic, typically erythromycin. It is given prophylactically and protects the eyes from conjunctivitis and blindness that can be caused by chlamydia and gonorrhea as the newborn passes through the birth canal.
Make sure you check out the resources attached to this lesson and review the key points. Now, go out and be your best selves today. And, as always, happy nursing.
Monalisa’s Study Plan
Concepts Covered:
- Community Health Overview
- Circulatory System
- Urinary System
- Communication
- Prenatal Concepts
- Test Taking Strategies
- Respiratory Disorders
- EENT Disorders
- Developmental Theories
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Prefixes
- Suffixes
- Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
- Disorders of the Adrenal Gland
- Preoperative Nursing
- Integumentary Disorders
- Integumentary Disorders
- Prioritization
- Bipolar Disorders
- Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
- Hematologic Disorders
- Immunological Disorders
- Renal Disorders
- Childhood Growth and Development
- Labor Complications
- Upper GI Disorders
- Medication Administration
- Developmental Considerations
- Adulthood Growth and Development
- Disorders of Pancreas
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Trauma
- Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
- Integumentary Important Points
- Pregnancy Risks
- Urinary Disorders
- Cardiac Disorders
- Learning Pharmacology
- Documentation and Communication
- Anxiety Disorders
- Basic
- Factors Influencing Community Health
- Prenatal and Neonatal Growth and Development
- Lower GI Disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Trauma-Stress Disorders
- Microbiology
- Oncology Disorders
- Somatoform Disorders
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
- Dosage Calculations
- Concepts of Population Health
- Understanding Society
- Depressive Disorders
- Personality Disorders
- Cognitive Disorders
- Substance Abuse Disorders
- Psychological Emergencies
- Hematologic Disorders
- Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
- Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
- Female Reproductive Disorders
- Delegation
- Vascular Disorders
- Oncologic Disorders
- Postpartum Complications
- Fetal Development
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
- Basics of NCLEX
- Shock
- Studying
- Concepts of Mental Health
- Labor and Delivery
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Health & Stress
- Neurological Emergencies
- EENT Disorders
- Emotions and Motivation
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Digestive System
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Tissues and Glands
- Postpartum Care
- Cardiovascular Disorders
- Newborn Care
- Renal and Urinary Disorders
- Newborn Complications
- Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Infectious Disease Disorders
- Nervous System
- Respiratory System
- Behavior
- Terminology
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
- Proteins
- Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
- Basics of Human Biology
- Neurological Trauma
- Concepts of Pharmacology
- Statistics
- Emergency Care of the Neurological Patient
- Basics of Sociology
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Spinal Cord
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Psychotic Disorders
- Emergency Care of the Trauma Patient