A nurse is caring for a client who is at 42 weeks of gestation and is in labor.

The client asked the nurse what to expect because the baby is postmature.

Which of the following statements should the nurse make?

All of the above factors increase the risk of hyperbilirubinemia in this newborn.Hyperbilirubinemia is a condition of high levels of bilirubin in the blood that can cause jaundice and brain damage.

Choice A is wrong because prematurity is a risk factor for hyperbilirubinemia, especially in babies born before 38 weeks of gestation.Premature babies have immature livers that are less able to process bilirubin and eliminate it from the body.

Choice B is wrong because breastfeeding is a risk factor for hyperbilirubinemia, particularly in some breast-fed babies who do not get enough milk or calories.Breastfeeding can also cause increased enterohepatic circulation of bilirubin, which means that bilirubin is reabsorbed from the intestines into the bloodstream instead of being excreted in the stool.

Choice C is wrong because Asian ethnicity is a risk factor for hyperbilirubinemia, as some Asian populations have higher rates of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, a genetic condition that causes red blood cells to break down more easily and release more bilirubin.Asian infants may also have lower levels of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase, an enzyme that helps convert bilirubin into a form that can be excreted by the liver.

Normal ranges for bilirubin levels vary depending on the age, weight, and health status of the newborn.Generally, bilirubin levels peak between the third and seventh day after birth and then decline gradually.The AAP recommends using a nomogram based on the infant’s age in hours and serum bilirubin level to determine the risk of severe hyperbilirubinemia and the need for treatment.Treatment options include phototherapy and exchange transfusion.

Exchange transfusion (ET) is a procedure that involves removing the infant’s blood and replacing it with compatible donor blood to reduce the level of bilirubin and/or antibody-coated red blood cells.It is a high-risk intervention that can cause serious complications such as vascular accidents, cardiovascular compromise, and electrolyte and hematologic derangement.

Therefore, it is essential to obtain informed consent from the parent before performing ET.

Choice B is wrong because checking the newborn’s blood type and crossmatch is not the first action the nurse should take.

Although it is important to ensure compatibility between the donor and recipient blood, it is not as urgent as obtaining informed consent.

Choice C is wrong because inserting two umbilical catheters for blood withdrawal and infusion is not the first action the nurse should take.

Although it is necessary to establish vascular access for ET, it is not as crucial as obtaining informed consent.

Choice D is wrong because monitoring the newborn’s vital signs and oxygen saturation is not the first action the nurse should take.

Although it is vital to assess the newborn’s condition before, during, and after ET, it is not as imperative as obtaining informed consent.

Normal ranges for bilirubin levels vary depending on the gestational age and postnatal age of the newborn.The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published nomograms for initiating phototherapy and ET based on these factors.According to the AAP, ET should be considered when the bilirubin level exceeds 25 mg/dL (428 μmol/L) in term infants or 20 mg/dL (342 μmol/L) in preterm infants with risk factors for neurotoxicity.