For patients receiving phototherapy, what is the most important precaution to take?

For patients receiving phototherapy, protecting the newborn's eyes is crucial. Phototherapy involves exposing the infant's skin to specific wavelengths of light to reduce bilirubin levels in cases of neonatal jaundice. While the light therapy is beneficial, it can be harmful to the eyes, leading to potential damage if they are not adequately shielded.

Using eye patches or shields helps to prevent retinal damage and ensures that the treatment focuses on the affected areas of the skin without putting the eyes at risk. Though monitoring bilirubin levels, checking for signs of hypothermia, and encouraging oral feeding are important aspects of caring for a newborn undergoing phototherapy, none of these precautions directly address the immediate risk posed to the newborn's vision due to the therapeutic lights. Therefore, eye protection is prioritized over other considerations in the context of phototherapy.