A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching about postpartum activity restrictions to a client who had a cesarean birth 2 days ago. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Rationale:

A. "Colostrum provides vitamin K which is an essential nutrient for newborns." While vitamin K is essential for clotting, it is not found in sufficient amounts in colostrum. This is why newborns routinely receive a vitamin K injection shortly after birth, rather than relying on breast milk as a source.

B. "Colostrum provides many important antibodies that the newborn lacks." Colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, especially IgA, which help protect the newborn from pathogens by providing passive immunity. These antibodies line the infant's gastrointestinal tract and offer critical defense during early life.

C. "Colostrum contains iron, which is important for a newborn's brain development." Although breast milk contains iron, colostrum is not a major source of it. Newborns are typically born with adequate iron stores to last several months, and the primary role of colostrum is immune protection, not iron supplementation.

D. "Colostrum contains a natural diuretic that stimulates the newborn to void." While colostrum has a laxative effect that helps the newborn pass meconium, there is no known diuretic component. Its primary importance lies in delivering antibodies and coating the GI tract to reduce infection risk.

Rationale:

A. “I should try to focus on pleasant images to help replace stressful and negative feelings I have.”: This describes guided imagery, a relaxation technique that uses visualization to reduce stress. While helpful, it does not involve the cognitive restructuring.

B. “I will use my smartwatch to monitor my sleep and heart rate to assist me with gaining voluntary control over my stress.”: This reflects biofeedback, where physiological responses are tracked and managed through conscious control. It involves physical awareness, not cognitive reinterpretation of stress.

C. "I should reassess the situation and change my perceptions of stress by replacing irrational beliefs.”: This is cognitive reframing, a technique that helps clients identify and challenge distorted thinking and replace it with more rational, constructive thoughts to alter their emotional responses to stress.

D. "I will tense my muscles for 8 seconds and then relax them to release the tension caused by my stress.”: This refers to progressive muscle relaxation, which targets physical symptoms of stress rather than the cognitive processes addressed in cognitive reframing.