Question

The nurse in the postpartum unit is observing the mother-infant bonding process in a client. Which observation, if made by the nurse, indicates the potential for a maladaptive interaction?

1. The mother is observed talking to the newborn.
2. The mother performs cord care for the newborn.
3. The mother verbalizes discomfort with the new role of motherhood.
4. The mother requests that the nurse feed the newborn because she is feeling fatigued.

Answer 1

Observation 4, where the mother requests the nurse to feed the newborn due to fatigue, indicates a potential for a maladaptive interaction in the nurse's observation of the mother-infant bonding process.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the given options, the observation made by the nurse that indicates potential for a maladaptive interaction is option 4: The mother requests that the nurse feed the newborn because she is feeling fatigued.

The mother requesting the nurse to feed the newborn indicates a potential issue with bonding and caretaking. Typically, a mother-infant bond involves the mother taking an active role in nurturing and caring for her baby, including feeding. The mother's request for someone else to feed the newborn suggests a lack of engagement or desire to bond with the baby, which may indicate difficulty in establishing a healthy and adaptive parent-infant relationship.