Which postpartum condition commonly requires antibiotic therapy and infection control precautions?

• A. Postpartum depression.
• B. Uterine atony.
• C. Endometritis.
• D. Physiologic jaundice.

Answer: (C)

Endometritis is an infection of the uterine lining that can develop after delivery, especially after a cesarean birth or with prolonged rupture of membranes. It commonly requires antibiotic therapy to eradicate the infection and prevent progression to sepsis. In the hospital setting, infection control precautions are used to reduce transmission risk, emphasizing strict hand hygiene and standard precautions, with additional measures as indicated by the patient’s status. The other postpartum conditions listed do not involve infection requiring antibiotics: postpartum depression is a mood disorder treated with support and therapy (not antibiotics), uterine atony causes hemorrhage and is managed with uterotonics and massage rather than antibiotics, and physiologic jaundice is a benign, noninfectious condition of newborn bilirubin metabolism.