During the ophthalmic exam in an infant, the nurse practitioner notices an absent red reflex. The remaining examination findings are within normal limits. The nurse practitioner should:

Rationale: A. Routine follow-up is inappropriate because an absent red reflex can indicate serious ocular pathology, such as congenital cataract, retinoblastoma, or other intraocular abnormalities. Waiting until the next routine exam could delay critical diagnosis and treatment. B. Referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist is the correct action. Early evaluation is essential to preserve vision and rule out life-threatening conditions. Pediatric ophthalmologists can perform a thorough dilated eye exam and additional imaging if needed. C. Delaying immunizations and ordering a CT scan is not the standard initial step; imaging may be indicated later depending on ophthalmologic findings, but urgent ophthalmology referral takes priority. D. Referral to a pediatric neurologist is not indicated at this stage, as the absent red reflex points primarily to an ocular rather than neurologic issue.