Question

At her 6-week postpartum checkup, a woman mentions to the nurse that she cannot sleep and is not eating. She feels guilty because sometimes she believes her infant is dead. The nurse recognizes this woman's symptoms as:

1) bipolar disorder.
2) major depression.
3) postpartum blues.
4) postpartum depression.

Answer 1

The described symptoms at the 6-week postpartum checkup are indicative of postpartum depression, which is a serious condition requiring professional assessment and treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described by the woman in her 6-week postpartum checkup are suggestive of postpartum depression. These symptoms include an inability to sleep, lack of eating, feelings of guilt, and disturbing thoughts about her infant potentially being deceased. While postpartum blues are more common and usually resolve within two weeks without intervention, her symptoms point to a more serious major depression occurring in the postpartum period. This condition requires a thorough assessment by a healthcare professional and can involve a range of treatments, including therapy and medication.