A nurse is providing discharge instructions to parents of a circumcised newborn. To prevent diaper adherence to the penis, what will be recommended to apply during diaper changes?

Choice A rationale:

Postpartum depression is a more severe and prolonged form of emotional response to childbirth. It involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and difficulty bonding with the baby. The symptoms of postpartum depression are different from what the client is experiencing, so this choice is not correct.

Choice B rationale:

The taking-in phase is a normal emotional response to birth, where the mother is focused on her own needs and experiences during the immediate postpartum period. The client's symptoms do not align with this phase, as she is expressing feelings of sadness and crying for no reason.

Choice C rationale:

The postpartum blues, also known as the "baby blues,” is the correct choice. It is a common and transient emotional response to birth experienced by many new mothers. The mother may feel overwhelmed, have mood swings, and cry for no apparent reason. These symptoms usually resolve on their own within a few days to a couple of weeks, and supportive care is typically sufficient.

Choice D rationale:

The taking-hold phase is a phase where the mother becomes more confident in her caregiving abilities and starts to take a more active role in caring for her baby. The client's symptoms do not align with this phase, as she is expressing feelings of sadness and crying for no reason.

Choice A rationale:

The normal WBC count during pregnancy can vary, but a count of 11,000/mm³ is within an acceptable range. During pregnancy, the WBC count can be slightly elevated due to physiological changes in the body to support the growing fetus.

Choice B rationale:

The normal hemoglobin level during pregnancy is generally around 11 to 12.5 g/dL. Therefore, a hemoglobin level of 11.2 g/dL falls within the normal range, and the nurse does not need to report this finding.

Choice C rationale:

The normal hematocrit (Hct) during pregnancy can vary, but a level of 34% is within the acceptable range. Hct levels can be lower during pregnancy due to increased plasma volume, leading to a mild physiological anemia of pregnancy.

Choice D rationale:

The normal platelet count during pregnancy is typically around 150,000 to 400,000/mm³. With a platelet count of 140,000/mm³, this is slightly below the lower end of the normal range. Thrombocytopenia during pregnancy can increase the risk of bleeding, both during childbirth and postpartum, so the nurse should report this finding to the provider for further evaluation and management.