A 25-year-old gravida 1, para 1, who had an emergency cesarean ...

[ap345]

A 25-year-old gravida 1, para 1, who had an emergency cesarean birth 3 days ago is scheduled for discharge. As you prepare her for discharge, she begins to cry. Which should be your initial action?
 
  a. Assess her for pain.
  b. Allow her time to express her feelings.
  c. Point out how lucky she is to have a healthy baby.
  d. Explain that she is experiencing postpartum blues.

Question 2

A husband calls the nurse's station stating that his wife, who delivered last week, is happy one minute and crying the next. He says, She was never like this before the baby was born. Which should be the nurse's initial response?
 
  a. Reassure him that this behavior is normal.
  b. Advise him to get immediate psychological help for her.
  c. Tell him to ignore the mood swings because they will go away.
  d. Instruct him in the signs, symptoms, and duration of postpartum blues.

[Bsand8]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Although many women experience transient postpartum blues, they need assistance in expressing their feelings. Assessing her for pain assumes that she is in pain. Pointing out how lucky she is to have a healthy baby is blocking communication. She needs the opportunity to express her feelings first. Later, client teaching can occur.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Before providing further instructions, inform family members of the fact that postpartum blues are a normal process to allay anxieties and increase receptiveness to learning. Postpartum blues are a normal process that is short-lived; no medical intervention is needed. Telling him to ignore the moods blocks communication and may belittle the husband's concerns. Client teaching is important; however, his anxieties need to be allayed before he will be receptive to teaching.

[ap345]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[Viet Thy]

Excellent