After reviewing information about postpartum blues, a group of ...

[SAVANNAHHOOPER23]

After reviewing information about postpartum blues, a group of students demonstrate understanding when they state which of the following about this condition?
 
  A) Postpartum blues is a long-term emotional disturbance..
  B) Sleep usually helps to resolve the blues..
  C) The mother loses contact with reality..
  D) Extended psychotherapy is needed for treatment..

Question 2

A new mother asks the nurse how to determine if the baby is receiving enough breast milk. What response should the nurse make to the mother?
 
  A) The infant should not become constipated..
  B) The infant should sleep at least 3 hours between feedings..
  C) You need to weigh the infant before and after each feeding..
  D) The infant should gain weight and have six wet diapers daily..

[scottmt]

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
Postpartum blues are transient emotional disturbances beginning in the first week after childbirth and are characterized by anxiety, irritability, insomnia, crying, loss of appetite, and sadness (Hanley, 2010). These symptoms typically begin 3 to 4 days after childbirth and resolve by day 8 (Mattson & Smith, 2011). These mood swings may be confusing to new mothers but usually are self-limiting. The blues typically resolves with restorative sleep. Postpartum blues are thought to affect up to 75 of all new mothers; this condition is the mildest form of emotional disturbance associated with childbearing (March of Dimes, 2011). The mother maintains contact with reality consistently and symptoms tend to resolve spontaneously without therapy within 1 to 2 weeks.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
Acceptable criteria during the first week of life are wetting six to eight diapers within 24 hours or losing no more than 10 of birth weight. After the first week, weight gain and voiding six to eight times each 24 hours are good criteria to use. The infant will not become constipated when ingesting breast milk. Sleeping is individual for each baby and cannot be used to determine an adequate nutritional intake. Weighing the infant before and after feedings is not recommended.