Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is preparing to administer prophylactic eye ointment to a newborn to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum.
Which of the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Nystatin.
Nystatin is incorrect, as this is an antifungal medication that is used to treat oral thrush or diaper rash in newborns, not eye infections.
B. Ceftriaxone.
Ceftriaxone is incorrect, as this is an antibiotic injection that is used to treat systemic gonorrhea infections in adults or newborns, not eye infections.
C. Erythromycin.
This is an antibiotic ointment that is applied to the eyes of newborns to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, a serious eye infection caused by gonorrhea. Ophthalmia neonatorum can cause blindness if left untreated and can occur even if the mother does not have symptoms of gonorrhea. Erythromycin is the only drug approved by the FDA for this purpose and is mandated in most states.
D. Ofloxacin.
Ofloxacin is incorrect, as this is an antibiotic eye drop that is used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis in older children and adults, not ophthalmia neonatorum in newborns. Therefore, choice C is the best answer to this question.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Custom- Wn23 NS122 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
This is an antibiotic ointment that is applied to the eyes of newborns to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, a serious eye infection caused by gonorrhea.
Ophthalmia neonatorum can cause blindness if left untreated and can occur even if the mother does not have symptoms of gonorrhea.
Erythromycin is the only drug approved by the FDA for this purpose and is mandated in most states.
Choice A.
Nystatin is incorrect, as this is an antifungal medication that is used to treat oral thrush or diaper rash in newborns, not eye infections.
Choice B.
Ceftriaxone is incorrect, as this is an antibiotic injection that is used to treat systemic gonorrhea infections in adults or newborns, not eye infections.
Choice D.
Ofloxacin is incorrect, as this is an antibiotic eye drop that is used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis in older children and adults, not ophthalmia neonatorum in newborns.
Therefore, choice C is the best answer to this question.

Similar Questions
The parents of a preschooler diagnosed with muscular dystrophy are asking questions about the course of their child's disease.
The nurse should tell them which of the following?
A. Muscular dystrophies are disorders associated with progressive degeneration of muscles, resulting in relentless and increasing weakness.
Muscular dystrophies are disorders associated with progressive degeneration of muscles, resulting in relentless and increasing weakness. This is a general description of muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic diseases that affect different types of muscles and cause various degrees of disability. Children with muscular dystrophy may experience frequent falls, difficulty walking or running, muscle pain, learning difficulties, and breathing problems. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but treatments can help manage symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.
B. The extent of degeneration depends on performing daily physical therapy.
The extent of degeneration depends on performing daily physical therapy is incorrect, as physical therapy cannot prevent or reverse the degeneration of muscles caused by muscular dystrophy. Physical therapy can help maintain muscle strength and flexibility, prevent contractures and deformities, and improve mobility and function.
C. The child will be able to function normally and require no special accommodations.
The child will be able to function normally and require no special accommodations is incorrect, as muscular dystrophy affects the child’s ability to perform daily activities and may require assistive devices, such as braces, wheelchairs, or ventilators. The child may also need special education services, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or psychological counseling to cope with the disease.
D. The weakness that the child is currently experiencing will probably not increase.
The weakness that the child is currently experiencing will probably not increase incorrectly, as muscular dystrophy is a progressive disease that causes muscle weakness to worsen over time. The rate and severity of progression may vary depending on the type and subtype of muscular dystrophy.
Full Explanation
Muscular dystrophies are disorders associated with progressive degeneration of muscles, resulting in relentless and increasing weakness.
This is a general description of muscular dystrophy, a group of genetic diseases that affect different types of muscles and cause various degrees of disability.
Children with muscular dystrophy may experience frequent falls, difficulty walking or running, muscle pain, learning difficulties, and breathing problems.
There is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but treatments can help manage symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.
Choice B.
The extent of degeneration depends on performing daily physical therapy is incorrect, as physical therapy cannot prevent or reverse the degeneration of muscles caused by muscular dystrophy.
Physical therapy can help maintain muscle strength and flexibility, prevent contractures and deformities, and improve mobility and function.
Choice C.
The child will be able to function normally and require no special accommodations is incorrect, as muscular dystrophy affects the child’s ability to perform daily activities and may require assistive devices, such as braces, wheelchairs, or ventilators.
The child may also need special education services, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or psychological counseling to cope with the disease.
Choice D.
The weakness that the child is currently experiencing will probably not increase incorrectly, as muscular dystrophy is a progressive disease that causes muscle weakness to worsen over time.
The rate and severity of progression may vary depending on the type and subtype of muscular dystrophy.
Therefore, choice A is the best answer to this question.
The nurse is teaching a prenatal class on the functions of the various structures involved with pregnancy.
The nurse determines the class is successful when the class correctly chooses which function of amniotic fluid.
A. It provides oxygen to the fetus.
Choice A is incorrect because the amniotic fluid does not provide oxygen to the fetus. Oxygen is provided to the fetus through the umbilical cord.
B. This is how the baby is fed.
Choice B is incorrect because amniotic fluid is not how the baby is fed. The baby receives nutrients through the umbilical cord.
C. It helps cushion the baby.
Amniotic fluid helps cushion the baby12. It acts as a shock absorber and protects the fetus from injury should the mother’s abdomen be subject to trauma or sudden impact.
D. It prevents viruses from passing to the baby.
Choice D is incorrect because while amniotic fluid does have some antibacterial properties2, it does not prevent viruses from passing to the baby.
Full Explanation
Amniotic fluid helps cushion the baby12.
It acts as a shock absorber and protects the fetus from injury should the mother’s abdomen be subject to trauma or sudden impact.
Choice A is incorrect because the amniotic fluid does not provide oxygen to the fetus.
Oxygen is provided to the fetus through the umbilical cord.
Choice B is incorrect because amniotic fluid is not how the baby is fed. The baby receives nutrients through the umbilical cord.
Choice D is incorrect because while amniotic fluid does have some antibacterial properties2, it does not prevent viruses from passing to the baby.
The nurse is observing a group of 2- and 3-year-olds in a playgroup.
Which behavior noted in one of the children indicates to the nurse that the child may have autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?
A. After another child takes a toy, the child cries and stomps his feet.
Choice A is incorrect because crying and stomping feet after another child takes a toy is normal behavior for a 2- or 3-year-old child.
B. A child playing in the kitchen area pretends to pour a glass of milk and repeats this over and over.
Choice B is incorrect because repeating an action over and over is not necessarily indicative of autism spectrum disorder.
C. While the other children are eating a snack, the child walks around the room feeling the walls and ignores the caregiver who offers him a snack.
A child with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social communication and interaction, including ignoring a caregiver who offers them a snack.
D. A child flips the light switch off and on until the caregiver asks her to stop and join the other children in play.
Choice D is incorrect because flipping a light switch off and on until asked to stop and join other children in playing is not necessarily indicative of autism spectrum disorder.
Full Explanation
A child with autism spectrum disorder may have problems with social communication and interaction, including ignoring a caregiver who offers them a snack.
Choice A is incorrect because crying and stomping feet after another child takes a toy is normal behavior for a 2- or 3-year-old child.
Choice B is incorrect because repeating an action over and over is not necessarily indicative of autism spectrum disorder.
Choice D is incorrect because flipping a light switch off and on until asked to stop and join other children in playing is not necessarily indicative of autism spectrum disorder.
