A nurse is caring for a 3-day-old infant with hyperbilirubinemia who is receiving phototherapy. A nursing action that would put the patient at risk would be to
Explanation
• An infant’s liver struggles to process bilirubin because the mother’s circulation does this for the fetus. Upon birth, exposure to light triggers the liver to assume this function.
• Swaddling the infant is inappropriate. The infant receiving phototherapy must be exposed to the light. Only the eyes and genitalia should be covered.
• An infant receiving phototherapy should be removed from under the lights for feedings so that she/he continues to have interaction with the mother.
• Remove the eye patches during the time the infant is with the mother to give the infant a period of visual stimulation.