For a newborn undergoing phototherapy due to hyperbilirubinemia, what should the nurse plan to do?

In the context of phototherapy for a newborn with hyperbilirubinemia, positioning the infant correctly is crucial. Regularly changing the newborn's position every 2 hours helps ensure that the entire surface area of the baby's skin is exposed to the therapeutic light. This exposure is essential as it promotes the breakdown of bilirubin into water-soluble products that can be easily excreted. By facilitating optimal light exposure through proper positioning, the effectiveness of the phototherapy treatment is enhanced.

It is important to avoid limiting exposure to the light, as this would counteract the purpose of phototherapy. Additionally, reducing the duration of the treatment or adding more blankets could undermine the newborn's need for consistent light exposure and potentially lead to overheating or other complications. Therefore, the practice of frequently repositioning the newborn is key to maximizing the efficacy of the phototherapy in treating hyperbilirubinemia.