A father watching the admission of his newborn to the nursery notices that eye ointment is placed in the infant's eyes. He asks what is the purpose of the ointment. The nurse would be correct in stating that the purpose of the ointment is:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) Prevent eye infection. The eye ointment placed in the newborn's eyes is typically erythromycin ointment, which helps prevent neonatal conjunctivitis caused by bacteria such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea that the infant may have been exposed to during delivery. This practice is a standard procedure to protect the infant's eyes from potential infections that could lead to serious complications if left untreated. Option B) Dilate the pupil so the red reflex can be visualized is incorrect because the purpose of the eye ointment is not related to visualizing the red reflex but rather to prevent infection. Option C) Clear the infant's vision is incorrect as the eye ointment is not used to clear the vision of the infant but to protect their eyes from infection. Option D) Prevent herpes infection is incorrect because while the eye ointment does prevent bacterial infections, it is not specifically for preventing herpes infection. Educationally, it is crucial for healthcare providers to understand the purpose of routine procedures performed on newborns to provide safe and evidence-based care. By recognizing the rationale behind practices such as applying eye ointment, nurses can effectively educate parents and caregivers about the importance of these interventions in safeguarding the health of newborns.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Collard greens are a good source of folic acid, which is important for preventing neural tube defects, especially in clients with a history of miscarriages. Since the client does not like green leafy vegetables, collard greens could be suggested as an alternative source of folic acid. Yogurt and whole milk do not contain significant amounts of folic acid, and while strawberries are a healthy choice, they are not a high source of folic acid compared to collard greens.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct action is to encourage voiding (option B). After delivery, a boggy uterus displaced above and to the right of the umbilicus indicates uterine atony, which can lead to postpartum hemorrhage. Encouraging voiding helps the uterus contract by promoting the expulsion of clots and promoting uterine tone. Inspecting the perineal pad (option A) is important to assess for the amount and type of postpartum bleeding, but it does not directly address the issue of uterine atony. Monitoring vital signs (option C) is crucial in postpartum care, but addressing the boggy uterus should take precedence in this situation to prevent complications. Notifying the healthcare provider (option D) is important if interventions like encouraging voiding do not improve the uterine tone. However, this should not be the first action taken. Educationally, understanding the signs of uterine atony and knowing the appropriate interventions is crucial for nurses providing postpartum care to prevent complications like postpartum hemorrhage. Encouraging voiding promotes uterine contractions, aiding in the prevention of excessive bleeding and promoting maternal well-being.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The priority nursing assessment immediately following the birth of an infant with esophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal (TE) fistula is to check the number of vessels in the cord. This assessment is crucial to identify any potential anomalies related to the TE fistula, as abnormalities in the cord vessels may indicate associated congenital anomalies that need immediate attention.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: When examining an infant for cryptorchidism, it is important to position the infant in a warm room to prevent muscle contraction, which could cause the testes to retract. Placing the infant in a side-lying position may not be necessary for this specific examination. Holding the penis or retracting the foreskin is not relevant to the assessment for cryptorchidism. Cleansing the penis with an antiseptic pad is not indicated for this examination.