Question

You are a nurse and have been assigned to postpartum unit on your shift. You will be teaching a new mom about help and education during postpartum depression. Which of the following moms do you go see first?

A) A mom who expresses worry and anxiety about being a first time mom.
B) A mom who states that her husband is not happy with the birth of the new baby.
C) A mom who is very happy about the birth of her 3rd baby.
D) A mom who explains that she is anxious about the new baby at home and is still battling her current depressive episode.

Answer 1

You would go see the mom who is currently battling a depressive episode and is anxious about the new baby (option D), as she requires immediate support to cope with her ongoing condition and the added responsibilities of a newborn.

Step-by-step explanation:

As a nurse assigned to the postpartum unit, you will be tasked with providing support and education to new mothers who may be experiencing postpartum depression (PPD). Among the given scenarios, you would prioritize seeing the mom who is actively experiencing an ongoing depressive episode and is expressing anxiety about the addition of a new baby at home, option D).

This mother is likely to be in the greatest need of immediate support, as she is already battling a current depressive episode and now faces the additional stress of caring for a new baby.

This scenario aligns with findings from Wisner et al. (2013), which indicates the need for timely interventions in postpartum women showing signs of depression to prevent thoughts of self-harm and other negative outcomes.

Similarly, Fields (2010) highlights the impact of PPD on parenting and safety practices, underscoring the urgency of addressing such cases promptly.