Final answer:
In the case of a 1-week-old newborn with breastmilk jaundice, the nurse practitioner would typically advise to continue breastfeeding. This helps with the excretion of bilirubin through its laxative properties. Phototherapy may be used if the baby has hyperbilirubinemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a 1-week-old newborn with breastmilk jaundice, the nurse practitioner will typically take the following action: c) Continue breastfeeding. Breastmilk jaundice is a common condition in newborns, often seen around the second or third day of life, peaking at around 10-14 days, and usually resolves without treatment. Breast milk is beneficial as it has laxative properties that help clear the bilirubin, a product of red blood cell breakdown, through the excretion of bile in the stool.
In cases of hyperbilirubinemia, where there is a high level of bilirubin that is neurotoxic, the newborn would be treated with phototherapy. Phototherapy facilitates the breakdown of bilirubin using UV light. It is important to distinguish breastmilk jaundice from other forms of jaundice which may require different interventions.
It is not standard practice to recommend formula feeding or iron supplementation for the management of breastmilk jaundice. Instead, ensuring that the baby is well hydrated and continues to feed on breast milk would support natural excretion of bilirubin.