The nurse is preparing a 4-day-old infant with a serum bilirubin level of 19 mg/dL (325 µmol/L) for discharge from the hospital. When teaching the parents about home phototherapy, which instruction should the nurse include in the discharge teaching plan?

Total Bilirubin Reference Range: Newborn: 0.1 to 10.5 mg/dL (1.7 to 180 µmol/L)

Choice A reason: This is incorrect because providing a diet low in phosphorus is not indicated for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. Phosphorus restriction is more relevant for clients with renal failure, not liver failure.

Choice B reason: This is correct because noting signs of swelling and edema is an essential intervention for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. Swelling and edema are signs of fluid retention and portal hypertension, which are common complications of liver disease.

Choice C reason: This is incorrect because increasing oral fluid intake to 1,500 mL daily is not advisable for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. Fluid restriction may be necessary to prevent fluid overload and ascites, which are common complications of liver disease.

Choice D reason: This is correct because monitoring abdominal girth is an important intervention for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. Abdominal girth measurement can indicate the presence and severity of ascites, which is a common complication of liver disease.

Choice E reason: This is correct because reporting serum albumin and globulin levels is a vital intervention for a client with cirrhosis of the liver. Serum albumin and globulin levels can reflect the liver's synthetic function and indicate the extent of liver damage.

Choice A reason: Feeding the infant every 4 hours is not a specific instruction for home phototherapy, which is a treatment that uses blue light to break down excess bilirubin in the skin and blood. However, feeding the infant frequently is important to promote hydration and elimination of bilirubin through urine and stool.

Choice B reason: Performing diaper changes under the light is not a recommended instruction for home phototherapy, which is a treatment that uses blue light to break down excess bilirubin in the skin and blood. The nurse should instruct the parents to turn off the light and cover the infant's eyes with protective goggles or patches during diaper changes to prevent eye damage or irritation.

Choice D reason: Covering with a receiving blanket is not an appropriate instruction for home phototherapy, which is a treatment that uses blue light to break down excess bilirubin in the skin and blood. The nurse should instruct the parents to keep the infant unclothed except for a diaper and eye protection during phototherapy to maximize skin exposure to the light and increase its effectiveness.