Chapter 13 Transition to Parenthood

The nurse is observing a new mother interact with her baby and notices the mother holding the baby close to her body. However, the nurse also notices that the mother does not hold the baby in an enface position. Which question is most appropriate for the nurse to ask?

"What can you tell me about your family's beliefs with new babies?"

The nurse is researching for evidence-based practice related to a mother's response during the postpartum period. Based on research by Rubin and Mercer, which finding will the nurse be able to easily implement to change the culture of the unit?

Alterations in terminology

The nurse is providing care for a new mother during a follow-up visit 6 weeks after a vaginal delivery. The mother begins to cry and reports difficulty with eating and sleeping. The nurse identifies postpartum blues and cites which reason as the most likely cause?

Changes in hormonal levels

The nurse is counseling a lesbian couple who have decided to have a child. Which considerations does the nurse present with regard to which partner will become pregnant? Select all that apply.

Consider the age and health of each partner. Evaluate each partner's career goals. Decide which partner has better insurance. Identify which woman desires to be pregnant.

The nurse on a postpartum unit focuses on how to assist the father in identifying his role with the neonate. Which intervention by the nurse is most helpful?

Encourage the couple to identify mutual expectations of the fathering role.

The nurse is interested in promoting coparenting because of the high likeability that at some point, both parents will be working outside the home. After reading research by Davis, Schoppe-Sullivan, Mangelsdorf, and Brown (2009), the nurse learns that which factor impacts coparenting the most?

Infant temperament

The nurse is providing postpartum care for an adolescent mother and her family. Which factor is most important for the nurse to consider when planning teaching about neonatal care?

Information must be presented on an age-appropriate level.

Loutzenhiser, McAuslan, and Sharpe (2015) performed a study regarding maternal and paternal fatigue and factors associated with fatigue across the transition to parenthood. Which evidence-based conclusion is made regarding fatigue and the transitioning parents?

Levels of prenatal and postnatal fatigue are associated.

Dayton et al. (2016) performed qualitative research regarding expectant fathers' beliefs and expectations. The nurse identifies which theme as emerging from this research?

Men described fathering as an extremely difficult task.

The nurse on a postpartum unit is focused on providing care that will assist the mother and father in making the transition to parenthood. For which reason does the nurse review the prenatal and labor records?

Pregnancy and birth experiences, which can either enhance or impede the process of becoming a mother.

As a result of the previously mentioned research study, the nurses in a postpartum facility will implement which evidence-based change?

Promote strategies to decrease fatigue during both prenatal and postnatal periods.

The nurse uses research from Greenberg and Morris (1974) as a guideline for identifying the presence of engrossment in a new baby by the father. Which behaviors exhibit paternal-infant bonding related to engrossment? Select all that apply.

Seeing the baby as attractive Perceiving the baby as being perfect Having a desire to touch the baby Indicating an increasing sense of self-esteem Positively commenting about the baby's features

A new mother expresses frustration about how to know what her baby wants. The mother states, "I don't know what I expect, but then, the baby doesn't know either." Which situation does the nurse use as an example of neonate communication?

The baby roots for the breast when the cheek is stroked.

The nurse is aware that some parenting skills are acquired through the process of intentional learning. Which activity does the nurse associate with intentional learning?

The couple attends hospital classes addressing newborn and infant care.

The nurse in a postpartum unit evaluates new parents for risk factors that can indicate problems with bonding/attachment. Which situations does the nurse recognize as a cause for bonding/attachment problems? Select all that apply.

The mother experienced eclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy. The neonate is being treated for meconium aspiration syndrome. The mother experienced dystocia in the second phase of labor.

The postpartum nurse is planning a home visit to a mother who delivered her baby 1 week ago. Which finding indicates to the nurse a possible problem with mother-infant bonding?

The mother focuses the visit on her physical recovery and concerns.

Which behavior does the nurse identify as a demonstration of unidirectional bonding between a parent and infant?

The parents call the baby by name.

The nurse on a postpartum unit is acutely aware that cultural influences impact the patient's process of "becoming a mother." For which cultural influences does the nurse assess? Select all that apply.

What amount of time the mother spends in each phase Differences in the mother's expectation related to ability to rest Mother's involvement in decision making for the first few months Whether the mother seems interested in how to care for her baby

When providing care to a multiparous mother, the nurse needs to assess for the presence of ____________________ between the older children and the new baby.

sibiling rivalry