A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who is 3 weeks postpartum following the birth of a healthy newborn.
The client reports feeling "down" and sad, having no energy, and wanting to cry.
Which of the following is a priority action by the nurse?.
Anticipate a prescription by the provider for an antidepressant.
Reinforce postpartum and newborn care discharge teaching.
Assist the family to identify prior use of positive coping skills in family crises.
Ask the client if she has considered harming herself or her newborn.
The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D.
Choice A rationale:
While antidepressants can be an effective treatment for postpartum depression, it is not the priority action. The priority is to ensure the safety of the mother and the baby.
Choice B rationale:
Reinforcing postpartum and newborn care discharge teaching is important, but it is not the priority action when a client is showing signs of postpartum depression.
Choice C rationale:
Assisting the family to identify prior use of positive coping skills in family crises can be helpful, but it is not the priority action when a client is showing signs of postpartum depression.
Choice D rationale:
The priority action when a client is showing signs of postpartum depression is to assess for suicidal ideation or thoughts of harming herself or her baby. This is because postpartum depression can lead to thoughts of self-harm or harm to the baby, and immediate intervention is necessary to ensure the safety of both the mother and the baby.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C.
Choice A rationale:
Notifying the provider is not necessary in this case as the findings are normal for a client who is 1 hour postpartum.
Choice B rationale:
Increasing the frequency of fundal massage is not necessary as the fundus is firm and at the umbilicus.
Choice C rationale:
The findings are normal for a client who is 1 hour postpartum. The nurse should document the findings and continue to monitor the client. Therefore, this choice is correct.
Choice D rationale:
Encouraging the client to empty her bladder is not necessary in this case as the fundus is midline.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D.
Choice A rationale:
While some mothers with postpartum depression may have thoughts of harming their infant, it’s not the most common manifestation.
Choice B rationale:
Postpartum depression typically begins within the first few weeks after childbirth, not necessarily within 48 hours.
Choice C rationale:
Psychotic behavior is more commonly associated with postpartum psychosis, a rare and severe form of postpartum psychiatric illness, not postpartum depression.
Choice D rationale:
Women with a history of depression are indeed more likely to experience postpartum depression. This is the correct answer.
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