A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who is 4 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?
Ask the client if she has thoughts of or considered harming herself or her newborn.
Anticipate a prescription by the provider for an antidepressant.
Assist the family to identify prior use of positive coping skills in family crises.
Reinforce postpartum and newborn care discharge teaching.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Asking the client if she has thoughts of or considered harming herself or her newborn is the priority action. This assessment is crucial for identifying postpartum depression and potential risks to the client and her newborn. Early identification and intervention can prevent harm.
Choice B rationale
Anticipating a prescription for an antidepressant is important but secondary to assessing immediate safety concerns. Medication can be part of the treatment plan after assessing the client’s mental state.
Choice C rationale
Assisting the family to identify prior use of positive coping skills is beneficial for long-term management but is not the immediate priority. The nurse must first ensure the client’s and newborn’s safety.
Choice D rationale
Reinforcing postpartum and newborn care discharge teaching is important for overall care but does not address the immediate concern of potential harm due to postpartum depression.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Swelling in both breasts is more indicative of engorgement rather than mastitis. Mastitis typically affects only one breast.
Choice B rationale
A white patch on a nipple is more likely a sign of a yeast infection (thrush) rather than mastitis.
Choice C rationale
Cracked and bleeding nipples can be a risk factor for mastitis but are not a definitive sign of the condition.
Choice D rationale
A red and painful area in one breast is a classic sign of mastitis. This condition is often accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as fever and malaise.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Teaching the parents how to swaddle is important for newborn care, but it is not the priority action immediately after delivery to promote parent-infant bonding. Skin-to-skin contact is more effective in establishing an initial bond.
Choice B rationale
Positioning the infant on the client’s chest for skin-to-skin care is the priority action to promote parent-infant bonding immediately after delivery. Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate the infant’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing, and promotes bonding through physical closeness and sensory interaction.
Choice C rationale
Offering to take the newborn to the nursery so the parents may nap is not the priority action for promoting bonding immediately after delivery. While rest is important, the initial moments after birth are crucial for establishing a bond through direct contact.
Choice D rationale
Assessing the infant under the radiant warmer is important for ensuring the infant’s health, but it is not the priority action for promoting parent-infant bonding immediately after delivery. Skin-to-skin contact should be prioritized unless there are medical concerns that require immediate attention. .