What is the primary purpose of administering IV antibiotic prophylaxis to a client positive for GBS during labor?

Administering IV antibiotic prophylaxis to a client who tests positive for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) during labor is primarily aimed at preventing neonatal infection. GBS can lead to serious infections in newborns, including sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis. The risk of these infections increases if the mother is GBS positive and the infant is exposed during delivery. By providing antibiotics, the goal is to limit the bacterial load and prevent transmission to the newborn, thus significantly reducing the incidence of early-onset GBS disease in infants.

While reducing maternal fever, managing hypertension, and ensuring fetal well-being are important aspects of maternal and neonatal care, they are not the primary objectives of GBS prophylaxis. The focus of IV antibiotics in this specific context is to safeguard the newborn from the potential harms of GBS exposure during childbirth.