A postpartum person who delivered vaginally is being assessed for postpartum depression. What is the most concerning sign of this condition?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: feeling hopeless. Postpartum depression is a serious condition that can lead to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. This is concerning as it may indicate a deeper level of despair and potential suicidal ideation. Feeling overwhelmed (choice A) is common in new parents but not necessarily indicative of postpartum depression. Low energy and fatigue (choice C) can be symptoms of depression but are not the most concerning sign. Feeling elated (choice D) is not characteristic of postpartum depression but may indicate other mood disorders.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: administer pain relief. Nipple pain during breastfeeding can be caused by various factors such as improper latch, engorgement, or infection. Administering pain relief can help alleviate the discomfort temporarily while addressing the root cause. Applying lanolin cream (choice A) may help with moisturizing the nipples but won't address the underlying issue causing the pain. Monitoring the baby's latch (choice C) is important for long-term prevention but may not provide immediate relief. Providing distraction techniques (choice D) is not addressing the physical pain and may not be effective in resolving the issue. Administering pain relief is the most appropriate immediate action to help the postpartum person manage the discomfort while addressing the cause of the pain.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: pale skin. This is because the most common early sign of postpartum hemorrhage is hypovolemia, which leads to decreased perfusion and oxygenation of tissues. Pale skin indicates decreased blood flow and oxygen delivery, a key indicator of hypovolemia. Excessive bleeding (choice A) is a symptom, not a sign. Low blood pressure (choice B) is a late sign of postpartum hemorrhage. Dark red bleeding (choice D) may indicate the presence of clots but is not specific to early postpartum hemorrhage.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: assess fetal heart rate. During the first stage of labor, monitoring the fetal heart rate is crucial as it indicates the well-being of the baby. Changes in fetal heart rate can signal distress and prompt intervention. Monitoring contractions is important but assessing fetal well-being takes precedence. Checking blood pressure is important but not the most critical in this stage. Assisting with breathing exercises can help manage pain, but assessing fetal heart rate is more crucial for ensuring the baby's safety.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: tachycardia. Fetal distress is often indicated by an increased fetal heart rate, known as tachycardia. This can be a sign of the fetus not receiving enough oxygen. Bradycardia (choice C) is a lower heart rate and not typically associated with fetal distress. Irregular fetal heart rate (choice D) may also indicate distress, but tachycardia is more commonly observed. Increasing oxygen flow (choice A) is a potential intervention for fetal distress but not a sign of distress itself. In summary, tachycardia is the most common sign of fetal distress due to potential oxygen deprivation.