The nurse is teaching the student nurse about postpartum depression. Which strategy will the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason: Feeding the baby while lying in the bassinet can pose a significant risk of choking and improper feeding technique. Babies should be fed while being held in an upright or semi-upright position to ensure proper swallowing and to prevent aspiration of milk into their airways. This practice promotes bonding between the caregiver and the baby and supports the baby’s overall feeding development. Therefore, further teaching is required for parents who feed their baby while the baby is lying in the bassinet.

Choice B reason: Periodically pausing the feeding is actually a recommended practice as it allows the baby to burp and prevents overfeeding. It also gives the baby a break to catch their breath and reset their sucking pattern. This technique can reduce the risk of discomfort and gas. Hence, this behaviour does not require further teaching.

Choice C reason: Discarding the remaining milk after one hour is a proper practice because milk can spoil and become contaminated with bacteria, leading to potential health risks for the baby if consumed. It is important to ensure that the baby is fed with fresh milk to avoid any health issues. Therefore, this behaviour does not require further teaching.

Choice D reason: Holding the baby upright during feedings is a correct and recommended practice. This position helps to prevent ear infections, reduces the risk of choking, and promotes better digestion. It ensures that the milk flows steadily and safely into the baby's mouth, aiding in a more efficient feeding process. Thus, this behaviour does not require further teaching.

Choice A reason: Calling the healthcare provider is a valid action if the nurse encounters an unexpected issue or an emergency. However, in this situation, the nurse's immediate observation of physical signs indicating pain suggests that the patient might be experiencing discomfort. The nurse has enough clinical judgment to address the pain directly rather than waiting for a healthcare provider's intervention, which could delay relief.

Choice B reason: Waiting for the patient to report pain is not an ideal choice here because children, especially younger ones, may not always verbalize their pain even when they are in discomfort. The nurse's role involves assessing both verbal and non-verbal cues to provide timely and appropriate care. Physical signs such as clenched fists and a wrinkled forehead strongly indicate pain, necessitating prompt action rather than waiting.

Choice C reason: Administering intravenous morphine is the appropriate intervention given the clear physical signs of pain observed by the nurse. Morphine is a powerful opioid analgesic used to manage moderate to severe pain. In a post-surgical context, controlling pain effectively is crucial for the patient's recovery. Therefore, this action aligns with the need for timely pain management to ensure the child's comfort and facilitate healing.

Choice D reason: Instructing the parent to play relaxing music can be a helpful non-pharmacological intervention to provide a calming environment for the child. However, this action alone is unlikely to address the acute pain suggested by the patient's physical signs. While it can be part of a comprehensive pain management plan, the primary approach should be administering medication to relieve the immediate pain.