Question

A nurse is developing a plan of care for a newborn who is to undergo phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

A) Keep the newborn fully clothed during phototherapy.
B) Apply sunscreen to the newborn's skin before phototherapy.
C) Place the newborn under a heat lamp during phototherapy.
D) Remove all clothing from the newborn except the diaper.

Answer 1

In developing a care plan for a newborn undergoing phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, the nurse should ensure the newborn is undressed except for the diaper to maximize UV light exposure for bilirubin breakdown, and not use sunscreen or a heat lamp.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a newborn who is undergoing phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia, it is essential to include certain actions in the plan of care. Specifically, the nurse should remove all clothing from the newborn except the diaper during phototherapy. This ensures maximum exposure of the skin to the UV light, which helps in breaking down the bilirubin. It is important not to keep the newborn fully clothed or apply sunscreen to the newborn's skin, as these actions would block the therapeutic UV rays. Rather than using a heat lamp, it is also essential to use the proper phototherapy equipment designed for this purpose, that delivers the specific wavelengths of UV light needed to metabolize the bilirubin.