A nurse is caring for a client in labor who has herpes simplex virus (HSV) with active lesions. Which of the following interventions should the nurse plan to implement to prevent the transmission of HSV to the newborn?
Apply cortisone ointment on the lesions prior to birth.
Administer erythromycin ointment in the newborn's eyes after birth.
Anticipate a scheduled cesarean birth.
Initiate IV penicillin G during the labor.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Apply cortisone ointment on the lesions prior to birth:
Cortisone ointment is not appropriate for the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) lesions. Cortisone is a steroid medication that can suppress the immune response, potentially worsening the HSV infection. Additionally, cortisone ointment does not directly treat the virus or prevent its transmission. Therefore, applying cortisone ointment on the lesions would not be effective and could even be harmful to both the mother and the newborn.
B. Administer erythromycin ointment in the newborn's eyes after birth:
Erythromycin ointment is routinely used in newborns to prevent bacterial eye infections, such as those caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae. However, it is not effective against viruses like HSV. Therefore, while erythromycin ointment is important for preventing bacterial infections in newborns, it does not address the risk of HSV transmission from the mother to the newborn during birth.
C. Anticipate a scheduled cesarean birth:
When a pregnant person has active genital herpes lesions near the time of delivery, a scheduled cesarean section (C-section) is often recommended to reduce the risk of neonatal herpes transmission. Delivering the baby via C-section can decrease the likelihood of the newborn coming into contact with the virus in the birth canal, thereby reducing the risk of neonatal herpes infection. This intervention is specifically targeted at preventing HSV transmission to the newborn and is considered the standard of care in such situations.
D. Initiate IV penicillin G during labor:
Penicillin G is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, but it is not effective against viruses like HSV. Therefore, initiating IV penicillin G during labor would not prevent the transmission of HSV to the newborn. While antibiotics may be used in certain situations during labor to prevent bacterial infections, they do not address the risk of HSV transmission and are not indicated for this purpose.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Perform fetal scalp stimulation:
Fetal scalp stimulation involves applying pressure to the fetal scalp during a vaginal examination to elicit a response from the fetus, such as an acceleration of the fetal heart rate. While this can provide additional information about fetal well-being, it is not the initial priority when late decelerations are observed on the fetal monitor. The focus should first be on interventions aimed at improving fetal oxygenation to address the underlying cause of the late decelerations.
B. Administer oxygen via a face mask:
Administering oxygen to the mother is a priority intervention when late decelerations of the fetal heart rate are observed on the external fetal monitor. Late decelerations often indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, where the fetus is not receiving adequate oxygenation. Administering oxygen to the mother helps increase oxygen levels in her blood, improving oxygen delivery to the fetus and potentially mitigating the effects of uteroplacental insufficiency.
C. Elevate the client's head:
Elevating the client's head is not indicated when late decelerations are observed. This position could potentially compromise maternal-fetal circulation by reducing blood flow to the placenta. Maintaining a side-lying or semi-Fowler's position is often recommended to improve blood flow to the placenta and enhance fetal oxygenation.
D. Decrease the rate of IV fluids:
Adjusting the rate of IV fluids may be considered in some situations, such as if there is evidence of fluid overload or if the mother is receiving excessive amounts of IV fluids. However, it is not typically the initial intervention for addressing late decelerations. The focus should first be on interventions aimed at improving maternal-fetal oxygenation, such as administering oxygen and positioning the client appropriately.
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"C"},"B":{"answers":"A"},"C":{"answers":"B"},"D":{"answers":"B"}}
No explanation
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