Download Administering Newborn Meds

Preparing for OB Clinicals:
Administering Neonatal Medications
Eye Ointment
• Rationale: Administer antibacterial
agent to newborn eyes to prevent
ophthalmia neonatorum due to
chlamydia or gonorrhea
• Drug of choice: Erythromycin 0.5%
(5 mg/gm)
To Administer:
• Clean newborn’s eyelids with a clean, warm
wash cloth but only if there is excessive vernix
• Use a different corner of the cloth for each eye
to prevent cross-contamination
• Open eyelid and apply a ribbon of ointment into
the conjunctival sac
• Start at the inner canthus and move towards
the outer canthus/eye
• Repeat in opposite eye being sure not to cross
contaminate
• Do not rinse eyelids. Leave on for at least 30
minutes
Considerations
• Some infants develop a mild
inflammation after prophylactic
treatment of the eyes. Usually resolves
spontaneously
• The medication temporarily blurs the
infant’s vision; parents may wish to
delay treatment during the initial
bonding period
Vitamin K
• Rationale: Adminster vitamin K
(AquaMEPHYTON) intramuscularly to
prevent bleeding problems until infant
can produce its own clotting factors
• Dose: 1 mg per 0.5 mL
Injection Site:
Vastus Lateralis Muscle
To Administer:
• Use the vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh
– Use the outer third (outer aspect) of the thigh
– Mid-way between the greater trochanter and the
patella
• Stabilize the leg by holding the back of the thigh
• Clean skin with alcohol swab; circular motion
• Use 25 gauge 5/8” inch needle
• Enter at a 90 degree angle; (Z-track NOT used)
• Aspirate; if blood is drawn, remove and start over
• Inject the medication quickly; remove the needle and
massage area with 2 X 2 gauze (not an alcohol swab!
Gauze will stop the bleeding; alcohol swab will make it
bleed more)
Stabilizing the Infant’s Leg
Hepatitis B Vaccine
• Rationale: To prevent the infant from
acquiring the Hepatitis B virus
• Dose: 10 mcg/0.5 mL
• Pre-filled syringes; attach a 25 gauge
5/8” needle
• Refridgerated
To Administer:
• Use the same technique as used for
Vitamin K administration however use
the opposite leg
• This vaccine requires informed signed
consent. Do not administer until you see
the signed form!
• Document the injection in the newborn’s
blue immunization record