When obtaining a bilirubin specimen from a newborn with jaundice, what action should be taken to ensure specimen integrity?

When obtaining a bilirubin specimen from a newborn with jaundice, turning off the ultraviolet light is essential to ensure the specimen's integrity. Bilirubin, particularly when exposed to light, can undergo photodegradation, leading to inaccuracies in the measurement of bilirubin levels in the blood. This process can result in lower than actual bilirubin readings, thus providing misleading information regarding the newborn's condition.

In a clinical setting, bilirubin samples should ideally be collected and processed while minimizing light exposure. Keeping the specimen in a dark environment helps preserve the bilirubin in its original state, allowing for accurate laboratory analysis and proper diagnosis of conditions like hyperbilirubinemia.

Other actions, while they may have their importance in the care of the newborn, do not directly address the preservation of the bilirubin specimen itself.