What Should the Nurse Do?
Antonia, a 28-year-old female, has come to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic for her postpartum assessment six weeks after delivering her first child. Antonia is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico and speaks English as her second language. She is accompanied by her mother, who primarily communicates in Spanish. Antonia reports experiencing persistent fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty in sleeping since giving birth. She mentions concern about her weight loss postpartum and expresses feeling overwhelmed with adjusting to the demands of motherhood. Antonia has a medical history of gestational diabetes during her pregnancy, which resolved after delivery. Her vital signs include a blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg, a heart rate of 80 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute, and a temperature of 98.6° F (37° C).
1
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Analyze Antonia’s symptoms of persistent fatigue and mood swings. How might these symptoms be related to both her recent pregnancy and her cultural background?
2
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What immediate actions should a nurse take during the postpartum assessment to address Antonia’s concerns and promote her well-being, considering both her medical history and cultural background?
Gloria, a 32-year-old female, has presented to the OB-GYN clinic for her 6-week checkup following the birth of her first child. Gloria appears anxious and reports experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, low energy, and difficulty with sleeping since giving birth. She describes challenges in bonding with her newborn daughter and expresses guilt about her perceived inadequacies as a mother. Gloria has a medical history of anxiety disorder, which was managed with medication before and during pregnancy. Vital signs include a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg, a heart rate of 90 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute, and a temperature of 98.8° F (37.1° C).
3
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As a nursing student, how might you address Gloria’s reported difficulties in bonding with her newborn? How might you integrate Maternal Role Attainment Theory and Rubin’s Puerperal Phases to enhance parent-infant attachment during the postpartum period?
4
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Analyze how Gloria’s history of anxiety disorder might contribute to her current postpartum experiences. What specific aspects of anxiety disorder could influence her psychologic adjustments and parent-infant attachment?