The nurse is caring for a patient at 32 weeks gestation experiencing irregular contractions. Which medication order will the nurse anticipate being included in the plan of care?

Choice A reason: Providing patients with information regarding postpartum depression is crucial. Educating patients about the signs, symptoms, and treatment options for postpartum depression helps raise awareness and encourages early detection and intervention. Knowledge empowers patients and their families to seek help if needed.

Choice B reason: Encouraging patients to focus on positive aspects of pregnancy and birth is generally beneficial for emotional well-being, but it is not a specific strategy for addressing postpartum depression. Focusing solely on positive aspects may inadvertently dismiss the real and serious concerns of those experiencing postpartum depression.

Choice C reason: Consulting with the patient's spiritual advisor can be supportive, but it is not a primary strategy for addressing postpartum depression. While spiritual support can be a valuable component of holistic care, it should complement, not replace, medical and psychological interventions.

Choice D reason: Avoiding the assessment of suicidal thoughts to not upset the patient is dangerous and counterproductive. It is essential to assess for suicidal ideation in patients with postpartum depression to ensure their safety and provide appropriate interventions. Open and compassionate discussions about mental health are critical in addressing postpartum depression effectively.

Choice A reason: Calling the healthcare provider is a valid action if the nurse encounters an unexpected issue or an emergency. However, in this situation, the nurse's immediate observation of physical signs indicating pain suggests that the patient might be experiencing discomfort. The nurse has enough clinical judgment to address the pain directly rather than waiting for a healthcare provider's intervention, which could delay relief.

Choice B reason: Waiting for the patient to report pain is not an ideal choice here because children, especially younger ones, may not always verbalize their pain even when they are in discomfort. The nurse's role involves assessing both verbal and non-verbal cues to provide timely and appropriate care. Physical signs such as clenched fists and a wrinkled forehead strongly indicate pain, necessitating prompt action rather than waiting.

Choice C reason: Administering intravenous morphine is the appropriate intervention given the clear physical signs of pain observed by the nurse. Morphine is a powerful opioid analgesic used to manage moderate to severe pain. In a post-surgical context, controlling pain effectively is crucial for the patient's recovery. Therefore, this action aligns with the need for timely pain management to ensure the child's comfort and facilitate healing.

Choice D reason: Instructing the parent to play relaxing music can be a helpful non-pharmacological intervention to provide a calming environment for the child. However, this action alone is unlikely to address the acute pain suggested by the patient's physical signs. While it can be part of a comprehensive pain management plan, the primary approach should be administering medication to relieve the immediate pain.