Postpartum Body Changes Related

Review Postpartum Body Changes related questions and content

A new father calls the nurse’s station stating that his wife, who delivered last week, is happy one minute and crying the next. He states, “She was never like this before the baby was born.” How should the nurse best respond?

  • A. Reassure him that this behavior is normal.
  • B. Advise him to get immediate psychological help for her.
  • C. Tell him to ignore the mood swings because they will go away.
  • D. Instruct him in the signs, symptoms, and duration of postpartum blues.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The nurse should reassure the father that his wife's behavior of mood swings is normal after childbirth due to hormonal changes and adjustment to new responsibilities. This response validates the father's concerns, provides education on common postpartum experiences, and offers support.

Incorrect choices:
B: Immediate psychological help is not warranted for typical postpartum mood swings.
C: Ignoring the mood swings can lead to misunderstandings and lack of support for the mother.
D: Instructing on postpartum blues is more clinical and may not address the father's immediate concerns.