A nurse is updating the plan of care for a newborn who is undergoing phototherapy. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan?

Choice A reason:

Hypertonia is not a characteristic of a preterm infant, but rather of a post-term infant. Hypertonia means increased muscle tone or stiffness, which is more common in infants who are overdue. Preterm infants have poor muscle tone and less subcutaneous fat.

Choice B reason:

Long toenails are also not a characteristic of a preterm infant but of a post-term infant. Long toenails indicate that the infant has grown beyond the expected gestational age. Preterm infants have short and brittle nails.

Choice C reason:

Lanugo is a characteristic of a preterm infant. Lanugo is fine, downy hair that covers the body of the fetus. It usually disappears by the 36th week of gestation, but preterm infants may still have it at birth.

Choice D reason:

Dry skin is not a characteristic of a preterm infant but of a post-term infant. Dry skin indicates that the infant has lost moisture and subcutaneous fat due to prolonged exposure to the amniotic fluid. Preterm infants have thin and transparent skin that may be covered by vernix caseosa, a white, cheesy substance that protects the skin from the amniotic fluid.

Choice A reason:

Tremors are not a sign of hyperbilirubinemia, but they may indicate other problems such as hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, or seizures. Tremors are involuntary muscle movements that can affect different parts of the body.

Choice B reason:

Newborn rash, also known as erythema toxicum, is a common and harmless skin condition that affects many newborns. It causes red spots with white or yellow centers on the face, chest, back, or limbs. It is not related to hyperbilirubinemia or liver function.

Choice C reason:

Cephalohematoma is a collection of blood under the scalp that occurs due to trauma during delivery. It can increase the risk of hyperbilirubinemia because the breakdown of red blood cells in the hematoma releases bilirubin into the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is normally processed by the liver and excreted in stool and urine. If the liver is overwhelmed by the amount of bilirubin, it can cause jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Choice D reason:

Acrocyanosis is a bluish discoloration of the hands and feet that occurs in some newborns due to poor circulation. It is usually a normal and transient phenomenon that does not indicate any serious problem. It is not a sign of hyperbilirubinemia or liver dysfunction.