At what degree of scoliosis curvature is a brace typically recommended for treatment in adolescents?

Choice A rationale

Referring the child to a gastrointestinal specialist might be considered later, but it is not the priority action. Since the child shows no evidence of physical illness, the most likely cause of chronic soiling is functional or psychological. Addressing the potential underlying psychosocial factors takes precedence over pursuing further physical diagnostics immediately.

Choice B rationale

Reprimanding the child gently is an inappropriate and potentially harmful action. Encopresis is often involuntary and can be a source of significant shame and distress for the child. Reprimanding can exacerbate these feelings, leading to further withdrawal and potentially hindering therapeutic progress rather than encouraging control or behavioral change.

Choice C rationale

Reporting suspected encopresis and beginning a psychosocial evaluation is the priority nursing action. Encopresis, in the absence of physical illness, strongly suggests a psychological or behavioral component. A psychosocial evaluation is critical to identify underlying stressors, emotional issues, or developmental factors contributing to the soiling behavior, facilitating appropriate intervention.

Choice D rationale

Instructing the child to eat more fiber is an intervention for constipation, which can be a contributing factor to encopresis. However, it's not the priority action when there's no evidence of physical illness and chronic soiling is present. Without addressing potential psychological factors, dietary changes alone are unlikely to resolve the complex issue of non-organic encopresis.

Choice A rationale

This statement is correct. Erythromycin 0.5% ophthalmic ointment is routinely administered to newborns to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum, which is an infection of the newborn's eyes caused by bacteria such as *Neisseria gonorrhoeae* or *Chlamydia trachomatis* acquired during passage through the birth canal.

Choice B rationale

This statement is incorrect. While the medication prevents neonatal ophthalmia caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it is routinely administered to *all* newborns regardless of the mother's STI status. This is due to the potential for asymptomatic maternal infection and to ensure broad-spectrum prophylaxis.

Choice C rationale

This statement is correct. Cleaning the newborn's eyes from inner to outer canthus before administration removes any discharge or meconium that could interfere with medication absorption or introduce further contamination, ensuring optimal efficacy and preventing the spread of potential pathogens during application.

Choice D rationale

This statement is correct. Waiting at least one minute after administration before wiping the excess allows the medication sufficient time to spread across the conjunctival sac and be absorbed by the ocular tissues, maximizing its prophylactic effect against potential bacterial pathogens present on the eye surface.

Choice E rationale

This statement is incorrect. While the medication does treat conjunctivitis, its primary purpose in newborns is prophylactic, meaning it is given to *prevent* neonatal ophthalmia, not to treat existing conjunctivitis. It is administered to all newborns as a preventative measure against specific bacterial infections.