For a breastfeeding newborn with a total bilirubin level of 14 mg/dl, what nursing intervention is appropriate?

Encouraging the mother to breastfeed frequently is an appropriate nursing intervention for a newborn with elevated bilirubin levels. Frequent breastfeeding helps stimulate the infant's gastrointestinal system, promoting the passage of meconium, which is crucial for the excretion of bilirubin. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells, and the newborn's liver may not yet be efficient at processing it. Effective breastfeeding can help reduce bilirubin levels by ensuring that the baby is adequately hydrated and that the metabolic processes in the liver are supported.

Providing phototherapy for 30 minutes every 8 hours is typically insufficient for a newborn with elevated bilirubin levels, especially when levels reach 14 mg/dl. Usually, when phototherapy is indicated, it is performed continuously until the bilirubin levels fall to a safe range.

Feeding the newborn sterile water hourly is not recommended, as it does not provide the necessary calories or nutrients and can lead to water intoxication or dilutional hyponatremia. Breast milk offers vital substances that help in the newborn's health and metabolic processes.

Assessing the newborn's blood glucose level may be important in certain clinical contexts but is not the primary intervention for managing elevated bilirubin levels. It does not directly impact