Final answer:
Postpartum depression can manifest as an inability to care for the baby. It's a severe emotional and behavioral condition occurring after childbirth, affecting a mother's ability to function, and requiring prompt professional attention. Option c is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient who delivered her baby 4 weeks ago is feeling very depressed. This is recognized by a home health nurse as a symptom of postpartum depression (PPD). One of the prominent features of postpartum depression can be inability to care for the baby.
Postpartum depression is a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen in some women after giving birth. It is characterized by sadness, exhaustion, and anxiety to the point that it may interfere with a mother's ability to care for herself or her family.
The referenced studies outline the effects of PPD on parent-infant interactions and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for the well-being of both mother and child.