A nurse is caring for a laboring patient with an external fetal monitor. The nurse notices late decelerations on the monitor strip.

What does the nurse interpret this as indicating?

Choice A rationale
Postpartum depression is characterized by severe mood swings, crying too much, difficulty bonding with the baby, withdrawing from family and friends, loss of appetite or eating much more than usual, inability to sleep or sleeping too much, overwhelming tiredness or loss of energy. While some of these symptoms overlap with the ones mentioned in the question, postpartum depression is usually more severe and lasts longer.
Choice B rationale
The letting-go phase is the final phase of maternal adjustment during which the mother moves forward from her existing role to take on a new one as a parent. This phase is characterized by reestablishment of relationships with others, resumption of sexual intimacy, resolution of physical symptoms, and attainment of a new normal. The symptoms mentioned in the question do not align with this phase.
Choice C rationale
Postpartum psychosis is a rare but serious mental health illness that can affect a woman soon after she has a baby. Symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, a manic mood, a low mood, loss of inhibitions, restlessness, and severe confusion. The symptoms mentioned in the question do not align with this condition.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Postpartum fatigue is characterized by extreme tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest or sleep. This fatigue can make it difficult for the new mother to care for herself and her baby. The symptoms mentioned in the question - tearfulness, insomnia, lack of appetite, and a feeling of letdown - are all common symptoms of postpartum fatigue.

Choice A rationale
Depressed fontanels are not typically associated with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in infants. In fact, bulging fontanels may be a sign of increased ICP1516.
Choice B rationale
A brisk pupillary reaction to light is not a specific sign of increased ICP in infants. Changes in pupillary reaction can occur in various conditions and are not definitive indicators of increased ICP.
Choice C rationale
Increased sleeping is a symptom of increased ICP in infants. However, this symptom alone is not enough to diagnose increased ICP as it can be seen in other conditions as well.
Choice D rationale
Unspecified symptom is not a valid choice as it does not provide a specific symptom to evaluate.