A postpartum patient calls the clinic and reports to the nurse ...

[faduma]

A postpartum patient calls the clinic and reports to the nurse feelings of fatigue, tearfulness, and anxiety. What is the nurse's best response?
 
  a. When did these symptoms begin?
  b. Sounds like normal postpartum depression.
  c. Are you having trouble getting enough sleep?
  d. Are you able to get out of bed and provide care for your baby?

Question 2

The nurse is teaching new parents about behavior cues that indicate their infant has had enough stimulation. Which cues should the nurse include in the teaching session?
 
  a. The infant kicks his legs.
  b. The infant is quiet and alert.
  c. The infant splays his fingers.
  d. The infant looks at their faces.

[janieazgirl]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Postpartum blues must be distinguished from postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, which are disabling conditions and require therapeutic management for full recovery. Nurses need to assess the depression to ascertain if she is unable to cope with daily life. Postpartum blues are self-limiting and frequently occur by the fifth postpartum day and resolve in 2 weeks. The response Sounds like postpartum depression does not offer the patient any help or encouragement through this challenging time. Asking if she is getting enough sleep does not add to the assessments already identified in the stem. Enough information exists to determine that she has the signs and symptoms of postpartum blues. The nurse must differentiate between postpartum blues and depression.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Nurses should help parents recognize signals that indicate when their infant has had enough interaction and wants to avoid further stimulation. These avoidance cues, such as looking away, splaying the fingers, arching the back, and fussiness, indicate that the infant needs a quiet time. Kicking legs, being quiet and alert, and looking at faces are not clues the infant is overstimulated.