What action should a nurse take to assess for the presence of jaundice in a newborn?

To assess for the presence of jaundice in a newborn, applying pressure with a finger on the infant's forehead is an effective method. This technique allows the nurse to observe the skin's color more accurately. When pressure is applied, the underlying blood is temporarily displaced, reducing the redness in the skin. Once the pressure is released, any yellow tint from jaundice can become more pronounced, making it easier to identify.

Newborn jaundice typically manifests as a yellowing of the skin and the sclera (the whites of the eyes), often beginning on the head and progressing down the body. Therefore, assessing the forehead is particularly useful since jaundice usually becomes noticeable in the facial area first.

Other assessment methods, such as squeezing nail beds or applying pressure to the umbilical area, do not facilitate the visualization of jaundice effectively, as they do not provide the same prompt contrast needed to assess the skin's coloration accurately.