A nurse is caring for a client who is postpartum and has a prescription for Rho (D) Immunoglobulin. The nurse should verify which of the following prior to administration?

A) Swaddle the baby:

Swaddling the baby may provide comfort but is not the priority action when secretions are bubbling out of the newborn's nose and mouth. The priority is to clear the airway to ensure adequate breathing.

B) Suction the mouth then the nose with a bulb syringe:

This is the priority action. Suctioning the mouth first helps clear any secretions that might obstruct the airway, followed by suctioning the nose to ensure adequate airflow. Using a bulb syringe allows for gentle suctioning without causing trauma to the newborn's delicate nasal passages.

C) Use a suction catheter with low negative pressure:

While a suction catheter with low negative pressure might be appropriate in some situations, it is not typically the first choice for clearing secretions from a newborn's airway, especially when a bulb syringe is readily available and effective.

D) Suction the nose and then the mouth with a bulb syringe:

While suctioning both the nose and mouth is important, starting with the mouth allows for the clearance of secretions that might be more immediately obstructive to breathing. Suctioning the nose afterward ensures a thorough clearing of the airway.

A) Initiate early feeding:

Early and frequent breastfeeding or formula feeding helps stimulate bowel movements, which aid in the elimination of bilirubin from the body. Breast milk also contains substances that promote bilirubin excretion, making early feeding an effective preventive measure against neonatal jaundice.

B) Suction excess mucus with a bulb syringe:

While clearing excess mucus can facilitate breathing and feeding, it does not directly prevent jaundice.

C) Prepare for an exchange blood transfusion:

Exchange transfusion is a treatment option for severe jaundice that has not responded to other measures. It is not a preventive measure.

D) Begin phototherapy:

Phototherapy is a treatment for jaundice after it has occurred, not a preventive measure. It involves exposing the newborn's skin to specific wavelengths of light to break down excess bilirubin.