What it means
Bilirubin is a yellow substance made when old red blood cells break down; the liver clears it into bile. When red cells break down too fast, the liver is not working well, or bile flow is blocked, bilirubin builds up and the skin and sclera (whites of the eyes) turn yellow. Newborns often have mild jaundice in the first days of life.
For the nurse
Look at the sclera, the inside of the mouth and the palms in natural light, especially in clients with dark skin. Ask about dark urine, pale stools and itching. In a newborn, report jaundice in the first 24 hours of life and follow bilirubin levels as ordered.
In a chart
"Scleral icterus noted; client reports dark, tea-colored urine for 3 days."
At a glance
| Spanish | ictericia |
|---|---|
| Also written | jaundiced, icterus |
Related terms
red blood cell
A blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues; also called an erythrocyte.
pancreas
A long, flat gland behind the stomach that makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon.