Question

A 3-day-old neonate needs phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia. The nurse is reviewing the plan of care for this neonate. Which interventions would the nurse most likely find?

1) Use of eye patches to prevent retinal damage
2) Administration of tube feedings
3) Feeding the neonate while under phototherapy lights
4) Temperature monitoring every 6 hours during phototherapy

Answer 1

In the care of a neonate undergoing phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, the nurse's plan of care will likely include the use of eye patches to prevent retinal damage and frequent temperature monitoring. Feeding the neonate is important for hydration and bilirubin excretion, and tube feedings are only indicated if there are other feeding issues.Hence, option 1 and 4 are the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A 3-day-old neonate undergoing phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia is a common medical treatment for newborns with a high level of bilirubin in the blood, a condition known as jaundice. The nurse's plan of care will likely include specific interventions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment, as well as to monitor the neonate's overall well-being during therapy.

• Use of eye patches on the neonate is critical to prevent potential damage to the retinas from the phototherapy lights.
• Temperature monitoring is essential and would be done more frequently than every 6 hours, often every 2-4 hours, to ensure the neonate does not become too cold or too hot under the lights.
• Feeding the neonate breast milk or formula is necessary for hydration and to promote excretion of bilirubin, but it is not necessary to feed while the baby is under phototherapy lights.
• Tube feedings are not inherently part of phototherapy care unless the infant has specific issues with feeding by mouth.