Which prescription should the nurse administer to a newborn to reduce complications related to birth trauma?

• A. Silver nitrate.
• B. Erythromycin (Ilotycin ointment).
• C. Ceftriaxone (Rocephin).
• D. Vitamin K (AquaMEPHYTON).

Answer: (D)

Vitamin K prophylaxis is given to newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease by ensuring the infant can synthesize the vitamin K–dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X). At birth, stores are low and the gut is not yet colonized with bacteria that produce vitamin K, leaving the baby at risk for serious bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage. Providing an intramuscular dose shortly after birth helps the liver produce these clotting factors and reduces complications related to birth trauma that can involve bleeding.

Eye prophylaxis with silver nitrate or erythromycin protects against ophthalmia neonatorum, and ceftriaxone is an antibiotic not used to prevent bleeding; neither addresses the risk of hemorrhage. Vitamin K is the appropriate intervention to prevent this bleeding risk.