Question

During a newborn assessment a nurse identifies the absence of the red reflex in the eyes. The nurse should:

1. Notify the practitioner

2. Rinse the eyes with sterile saline

3. Expect edema to subside within a few days

4. Conclude that this is a result of the prescribed eye prophylaxis (Nugent 326)
Nugent, Patricia M. Mosby's Review Questions for the NCLEX-RN® Examination, 7th Edition. Mosby, 2011. VitalBook file.

Answer 1

If a nurse identifies the absence of the red reflex in the eyes during a newborn assessment, the nurse should notify the practitioner.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse identifies the absence of the red reflex in the eyes during a newborn assessment, the nurse should notify the practitioner. The red reflex is a normal response to light that indicates a clear pathway for light to reach the retina. Absence of the red reflex could be a sign of an underlying issue with the eyes that requires further evaluation and intervention.