The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner is performing an assessment on a 1-week-old newborn with a slightly elevated bilirubin who is breastfeeding well and who has gained 30 grams in the past 24 hours. The infant is stooling and voiding well. The nurse practitioner suspects breast milk jaundice. Which action is correct?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rechecking the serum bilirubin and the infant's weight in 24 hours is a prudent approach in this scenario. The infant is breastfeeding well, gaining weight, and has normal stool and urine output, which are positive indicators. The slight elevation in bilirubin might not necessitate immediate intervention like phototherapy, especially in the absence of other concerning symptoms. Monitoring allows for assessment of trends in bilirubin levels and the infant's overall health, guiding further actions if necessary.

The Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Is Performing an Assessment