You apply erythromycin ophthalmic ointment to the newborn's eyes to:

• A. Alleviate conjunctivitis that is common to all newborn infants
• B. Protect the infant from gonorrheal or chlamydial infection
• C. Protect from infection during the first week after birth
• D. Protect the infant from rubella infection

Answer: (B)

Newborn ocular prophylaxis with erythromycin is intended to prevent ophthalmia neonatorum caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, infections that can be acquired during passage through the birth canal if the mother is infected. Applying the antibiotic to each eye creates a local antimicrobial barrier that reduces the risk of severe conjunctival infection and possible vision-threatening complications. This specific protection targets those two bacteria, not rubella or other causes of conjunctivitis. Rubella immunity comes from maternal vaccination and is not addressed by eye ointment, and the policy focuses on preventing these particular neonatal infections rather than all eye infections or infections strictly within the first week.