ATI Maternal Newborn Related

Review ATI Maternal Newborn related questions and content

A preterm neonate develops physiologic jaundice and phototherapy is ordered. The nurse understands that this therapy:

  • A. Activates the liver to dispose the bilirubin
  • B. Breaks down the unconjugated bilirubin in the skin to conjugated form permitting excretion
  • C. Activates Vit. K to facilitate excretion of the bilirubin
  • D. Dissolves the bilirubin and allows it to be excreted from the skin
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because phototherapy works by breaking down unconjugated bilirubin in the skin to a water-soluble form, allowing it to be excreted from the body. This process does not activate the liver (choice A), nor does it activate Vitamin K (choice C) or dissolve the bilirubin for excretion from the skin (choice D). Phototherapy specifically targets the unconjugated bilirubin in the skin, converting it to a form that can be eliminated through the urine and stool.