Complication Postpartum Related

Review Complication Postpartum related questions and content

The nurse on a postpartum unit observes a patient who delivered 2 days ago. The nurse notices extreme agitation and depressed mood. The patient states, “I think that my baby is deformed inside and we have to fix him.” Which risk factor is most strongly related to possible postpartum psychosis (PPP)?

  • A. Separation from the baby’s father
  • B. Personal history of bipolar disorder
  • C. Prolonged labor resulting in cesarean
  • D. Loss of first child from a heart defect
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, personal history of bipolar disorder. Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental health condition that can occur in women with a history of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a major risk factor for developing postpartum psychosis due to the hormonal changes and stress of childbirth. The extreme agitation, depressed mood, and delusional thoughts exhibited by the patient in the scenario are indicative of postpartum psychosis.

Choice A, separation from the baby’s father, is not a strong risk factor for postpartum psychosis. Choice C, prolonged labor resulting in cesarean, is associated with physical complications but not necessarily with postpartum psychosis. Choice D, loss of the first child from a heart defect, is a traumatic event but is not directly linked to the development of postpartum psychosis.