Evidence Based Birth Continuing Education: Erythromycin Eye Ointment

Read the Evidence Based Birth blog article on Erythromycin Eye Ointment, and then take this quiz to earn one nursing contact hour!

By the end of this continuing education activity, you should be able to:

1. Describe the history behind the use of silver nitrate and erythromycin eye ointment
2. Define Opthalmia Neonatorum (ON) and describe risk factors for infant ON
3. Discuss the research evidence for using erythromycin prophylaxis to prevent ON
4. Name the risks and benefits of 4 approaches to dealing with ON (erythromycin, screen & treat, wait & see, and povidone iodine)

Evidence Based Birth is an approved continuing education provider through the Kentucky Board of Nursing (Provider #7-0081). Board of Nursing approval of a provider does not indicate endorsement of program content.

Nursing contact hours can be applied towards most doula, childbirth educator, and some midwifery certifications. Check with your certifying organization to see if they accept Board of Nursing contact hours.

In order to receive your certificate, you must receive an 80% or higher on this 10-item quiz and complete the evaluation survey.

The quiz is open-note, and you can re-take it as many times as you need to in order to receive a passing grade. 

There are 10 quiz questions. After you complete the quiz questions and are shown your score, you will be asked to complete a short evaluation survey. Please click on the link to complete the evaluation survey.

If at any point you have problems with this quiz, please try a different web browser first. If that doesn't work, then please contact [email protected] for assistance (please allow up to 48 hours for a reply). Write "Quiz Problem" in the subject line.

Once you pass the quiz, you will automatically receive your personalized certificate. You can print the certificate and save it to your computer. You will also receive an email with a link to download the certificate, in case you need to download it later.

Thank you for fulfilling your continuing education needs through Evidence Based Birth!

5 Sample Questions

*In the late 1800's, how many infants were blinded by opthalmia neonatorum?

  • A. 3 per 100
  • B. 3 per 1,000
  • C. 3 per 10,000
  • D. 3 per 100,000

Which treatment option is now available that did NOT exist back in Dr. Crede's time?

  • A. Silver nitrate
  • B. Cesarean section
  • C. Antibiotics
  • D. Microscopes

Evidence has shown that providing erythromycin eye ointment shortly after birth can prevent staphylococcus aureus eye infections in newborns.

  • A. True
  • B. False

In the U.S., which sexually transmitted infection is more common?

  • A. Chlamydia
  • B. Gonorrhea

A 36 year old pregnant client is talking with her doctor about screening for chlamydia in the first trimester. The client asks, "Why should I get this test? Wouldn't I be having symptoms if I had this infection?" Which is the best response?

  • A. "If you're in monogamous relationship then you're probably right, you don't need to be tested."
  • B. "Almost all women with chlamydia experience vaginal discharge and burning on urination."
  • C. "Because you are older, you are at higher risk for infection."
  • D. "Most women with chlamydia do not have any symptoms."