Chapter 23: Nursing Care of the Newborn and Family Perry: Maternal Child Nursing Care, 6th Edition

1. An infant boy was born just a few minutes ago. The nurse is conducting the initial assessment. Part of the assessment includes the Apgar score. The Apgar assessment is performed: a. only if the newborn is in obvious distress. b. once by the obstetrician, just after the birth. c. at least twice, 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. d. every 15 minutes during the newborn's first hour after birth. - ANS: C Apgar scoring is performed at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth. Scoring may continue at 5-minute intervals if the infant is in distress and requires resuscitation efforts 2. A new father wants to know what medication was put into his infant's eyes and why it is needed. The nurse explains to the father that the purpose of the erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is to: a. destroy an infectious exudate caused by Staphylococcus that could make the infant blind. b. prevent gonorrheal and chlamydial infection of the infant's eyes potentially acquired from the birth canal. c. prevent potentially harmful exudate from invading the tear ducts of the infant's eyes, leading to dry eyes