What-are-some-nursing-cares-for-an-infant-receiving-phototherapy?

In a baby that needs phototherapy, there are several nursing actions that need to be taken so as to enhance the impact of the phototherapy as well as to prevent or reduce for the possible complications.

 Key Nursing Interventions

 Monitoring Skin Integrity:

 Action: Phototherapy lights should also help monitor the baby’s skin for irritation and burns because of its exposure to the lights. To reduce the risk of skin damage, change the infant’s position often.

 Eye Protection:

 Action: Make sure that the infant’s eyes are masked with eye pads so that they do not form retinal ideologies from the lights. Make sure to monitor the position of the eye shields so that they do not shift and put pressure on the eye; this must be done often.

 Temperature Regulation:

 Action: This process should be done usually to see the general body temperature of the infant. Phototherapy lamp warms the infant’s body, so it has to be avoided, that the baby will become over heated. Maintain the environment where the seeds are found like the use of incubator, or changing the room temperature if necessary.

 Hydration and Nutrition:

 Action: Pay attention to fluid balance, inasmuch as phototherapy contributes to increased insensible water loss. Promote exclusive breastfeeding or provision of small amounts of breast milk or formula feed. Daily calculate the infant’s weight to check for weight loss and observe the symptoms of dehydration, dryness of the mucous membranes, and decrease of urine production.

 Monitoring Bilirubin Levels:

 Action: There is also need to observe the convenience of the infant’s serum bilirubin level, in order to check the efficiency of phototherapy. This assists in ascertaining the effectiveness of the treatment and the possible changes that may be made.

 Parental Support and Education:

 Action: An aspect of patient teaching includes informing the parents of the reason for phototherapy, the use of eye shields and the importance of water. It may be extremely distressing for parents to see their infant under phototherapy lights; hence provide encouragement and support.

 Documenting and Reporting:

 Action: Record frequently and systematically the temperature, intake and output, skin condition and bilirubin levels of the infant. Inform the health care provider in case of any noticed changes, deterioration or worsening of symptoms such as more frequent jaundice, problem in feeding or even the behavior of the baby.