If a postpartum client is unable to care for herself or her infant, what is the nurse's best intervention?

In the situation where a postpartum client is unable to care for herself or her infant, the best intervention involves addressing the immediate safety and well-being of both the mother and the child. Seeking emergency intervention is crucial in this scenario as it prioritizes the health and safety of both parties, particularly if there are indications of severe mental health issues such as postpartum depression or psychosis, which can impair the mother's ability to care for herself and her infant.

Emergency intervention can provide an immediate assessment and necessary support, whether that includes psychiatric evaluation, stabilization, or ensuring that the infant is cared for while the mother receives the help she needs. This approach recognizes that adequate care for both the mother and infant is of paramount importance and may require urgent professional assistance. While discussing options such as a home health aide or scheduling follow-up appointments may be important later, they do not address the potential risks in the immediate situation.