Best Nursing Practice for Newborns with Jaundice Essay

Best Nursing Practice for Newborns with Jaundice - Essay Example The most common intervention is phototherapy which is initiated soon after the level of bilirubin reaches phototherapy zone. Infants receiving phototherapy need extra nursing care so that therapeutic phototherapy is provided and the baby does not feel chill or burn. Breast feeding is encouraged during phototherapy and some babies may benefit with fiberoptic pad underneath. The irradiation of the light must be measured. Nurses must maintain input and out because these babies are at risk of dehydration. Daily weighing is another method of monitoring hydration. Nurses must also maintain temperature stability and skin intergrity. They must also monitor signs of irritation of the eyes. Linen of the babies must be changed frequently (Cohen, 2006). Nursing assessment with reference to these babies includes head size, evidence of birth trauma, feed intake, stooling, sleep patterns, irritability, lethargy and interaction with family. Serum bilirubin levels must be checked every 8, 12 or 24 ho urs based on the assessment. Phototherapy must be discontinued when the bilirubin level falls less than 14 mg/dl. When bilirubin levels rise above 25 mg/dl, it is considered as medical emergency and the baby must be evaluated for exchange transfusion (AAP, 2005).