Question

The infant's position is changed every 2 hours to expose all skin surfaces to the phototherapy for maximum effect.

a) Supine
b) Prone
c) Left lateral
d) Right lateral

Answer 1

In neonatal phototherapy, an infant's position is rotated every 2 hours to include supine, prone, left lateral, and right lateral positions, ensuring all skin surfaces are exposed to light for maximum treatment effect.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it comes to neonatal care, particularly phototherapy (treatment used for infants with conditions like jaundice), changing the position of the infant is crucial for effectiveness. There are several positions that an infant can be placed in and these include: supine (lying on the back), prone (lying face down), left lateral (lying on the left side), and right lateral (lying on the right side). Rotating through these positions can help ensure that all skin surfaces are exposed to the light during phototherapy for maximum effect.

Definitions of Positions

• Supine: The infant is lying on the back with upper limbs, including palms, touching sides and lower limbs touching at sides.
• Prone: The infant is lying face down with upper limbs, including palms, touching sides and lower limbs touching at sides.
• Left lateral: The infant is lying on the left side.
• Right lateral: The infant is lying on the right side.

For comprehensive phototherapy, it is recommended to adjust the infant's position regularly, typically every 2 hours to optimize treatment efficacy.