The nurse is providing care for a new mother during a follow-up visit 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery. The mother begins to cry and reports difficulty with eating and sleeping. The nurse identifies postpartum blues and cites which reason as the most likely cause?
- A. Fatigue related to a 'fussy' baby
- B. Frustration over physical appearance
- C. Changes in hormonal levels
- D. Stress related to new mother role
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Changes in hormonal levels. During the postpartum period, there is a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone levels, which can contribute to mood swings, emotional instability, and feelings of sadness. This is known as postpartum blues. The other choices are incorrect because fatigue related to a 'fussy' baby (A), frustration over physical appearance (B), and stress related to new mother role (D) are factors that can contribute to postpartum depression, not postpartum blues specifically.
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The nurse on a postpartum unit focuses on how to assist the father in identifying his role with the neonate. Which intervention by the nurse is most helpful?
- A. Encourage the couple to identify mutual expectations of the fathering role.
- B. Critique the father's methods of providing physical care for the neonate.
- C. Provide written materials about the physical and emotional role of a father.
- D. Observe for a competitive attitude between the parents about providing baby care.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because encouraging the couple to identify mutual expectations of the fathering role promotes open communication and mutual understanding. This intervention fosters collaboration and unity in parenting. Choice B is incorrect because critiquing the father's methods may create tension and hinder his confidence. Choice C is incorrect because providing written materials alone may not address the unique dynamics of the couple's relationship. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on potential conflict rather than fostering a positive and supportive environment for the father to identify his role.
The nurse is discussing contraception with a couple before discharge following the birth of a first child. The couple are uncertain about the method but are certain about avoiding pregnancy for at least 2 years. Which method does the nurse recommend?
- A. Emergency contraceptives
- B. Oral estrogen/progesterone pill
- C. Depo-Provera
- D. Natural family planning
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Depo-Provera. The couple wants to avoid pregnancy for at least 2 years. Depo-Provera is a highly effective long-acting reversible contraceptive that only requires an injection every 3 months, providing reliable contraception for an extended period. It does not rely on daily adherence like the oral pill (B) or emergency contraceptives (A). Natural family planning (D) may not be the best choice for a couple wanting to avoid pregnancy with certainty for 2 years due to its reliance on tracking menstrual cycles and abstinence during fertile periods.
The nurse is providing care for a new mother during a follow-up visit 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery. The mother begins to cry and reports difficulty with eating and sleeping. The nurse identifies postpartum blues and cites which reason as the most likely cause?
- A. Fatigue related to a 'fussy' baby
- B. Frustration over physical appearance
- C. Changes in hormonal levels
- D. Stress related to new mother role
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Changes in hormonal levels
Rationale:
1. Postpartum blues typically occur due to fluctuating hormone levels after childbirth.
2. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop significantly after delivery, leading to mood changes.
3. Symptoms like crying, difficulty eating, and sleeping align with hormonal imbalance postpartum.
Summary:
A: Fatigue related to a 'fussy' baby - Not directly related to hormonal changes causing postpartum blues.
B: Frustration over physical appearance - Not a primary cause of postpartum blues, which is more hormone-related.
D: Stress related to new mother role - While stress can contribute, hormonal changes are the primary cause.
The nurse is preparing to do a morning assessment on a 24-hour postpartum patient. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate initially?
- A. Massage the fundus until it is firm.
- B. Instruct the mother to void prior to the assessment.
- C. Assess the lochia flow while massaging the fundus.
- D. Lower the head of the bed and have the mother lie flat.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Instruct the mother to void prior to the assessment. This is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention because a full bladder can impede proper assessment of the fundus and lochia flow. Voiding before assessment ensures accurate findings and reduces the risk of discomfort for the patient.
A: Massaging the fundus until it is firm is important but should not be the initial step as assessing the bladder status is crucial first.
C: Assessing the lochia flow while massaging the fundus is important but should come after ensuring the bladder is empty.
D: Lowering the head of the bed and having the mother lie flat does not address the immediate need to empty the bladder for accurate assessment.
The nurse is collecting the urine of a postpartum patient who is passing large clots. For which reason does the nurse examine the large collected clots?
- A. To validate the presence of clotting
- B. To determine the presence of tissue
- C. To obtain an accurate description
- D. To document the number of clots
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: To determine the presence of tissue. By examining the large collected clots, the nurse can differentiate between clots and actual tissue, which is crucial for identifying any potential complications postpartum. This step ensures accurate assessment and appropriate intervention if necessary.
Incorrect choices:
A: To validate the presence of clotting - This is not necessary as the presence of large clots already indicates clotting.
C: To obtain an accurate description - While important, the primary purpose of examining large clots in this context is to differentiate tissue from clots.
D: To document the number of clots - While documenting the number of clots is important, it is not the main reason for examining them in this scenario.