The nurse is caring for an infant who will be discharged on home phototherapy. What instructions should the nurse include in the discharge teaching to the parents?

Question

a. Apply an oil-based lotion to the infant's skin two times per day to prevent the skin from drying out under the phototherapy light.
b. Keep the eye shields on the infant's eyes even when the phototherapy light is turned off.
c. Take the infant's temperature every 2 hours while the newborn is under the phototherapy light.
d. Make a follow-up visit with the health care provider within 2 or 3 days after your infant has been on phototherapy.

Answer 1

ANS: D
With short hospital stays, infants may be discharged with a prescription for home phototherapy. It is the responsibility of the nurse planning discharge to include important information such as the need for a follow-up visit with the health care provider in 2 or 3 days to evaluate feeding and elimination pattern and to have blood work done if needed. The parents should be taught to not apply oil or lotions to prevent increased tanning; the baby's eye shields can come off when the phototherapy lights are turned off, and the infant's temperature needs to be monitored but not taken every 2 hours.