When caring for a newborn receiving phototherapy, which nursing action is essential?

When providing care for a newborn undergoing phototherapy, placing an opaque mask over the newborn's eyes is essential. This is crucial because phototherapy uses light to reduce levels of bilirubin in the blood, but the intensity of the light can potentially cause damage to the newborn's delicate retinas if proper eye protection is not provided. An opaque mask serves to shield the eyes from the bright lights, minimizing the risk of ocular injury while still allowing the phototherapy to be effective.

Other nursing actions, while important, do not hold the same level of immediacy or critical importance as protecting the newborn's eyes during this treatment. For example, swaddling the newborn might interfere with the phototherapy's effectiveness by covering skin areas that need light exposure. Monitoring the newborn's temperature is a valuable practice as hypothermia can be a concern with phototherapy, but it is not as urgent as ensuring the eyes are protected. Limiting phototherapy sessions is not advisable, as the goal is to adequately lower bilirubin levels, and doing so can hinder treatment effectiveness. Eye protection stands out as a fundamental safety measure in this scenario.