Emotional & Psychological Support Flashcards
7 cards from real PMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emotional & Psychological Support flashcards as text
Which of the following correctly describes perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)?
Answer: They include a spectrum of conditions affecting mood and anxiety during pregnancy and the first year postpartum
PMADs encompass depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and other conditions arising during pregnancy or within one year postpartum, affecting any mother.
A client reports sleep disruption, loss of interest in activities she previously enjoyed, and feelings of hopelessness at 28 weeks. These symptoms suggest:
Answer: Prenatal depression requiring referral to a mental health provider
Persistent loss of interest, hopelessness, and sleep disruption are hallmark signs of prenatal depression, warranting mental health referral.
How does therapeutic touch during prenatal massage address the psychological dimension of pregnancy?
Answer: By providing safe, nurturing contact that reduces cortisol and activates the parasympathetic nervous system
Safe, intentional touch lowers cortisol, activates the parasympathetic response, and communicates care, which collectively supports psychological wellbeing.
A client discloses she is in a same-sex partnership and expresses concern about judgment. The prenatal massage therapist should:
Answer: Affirm an inclusive, non-judgmental environment and provide the same standard of care
Affirming inclusivity and delivering consistent, non-judgmental care is the professional and ethical standard for all clients regardless of family structure.
Which prenatal massage technique is most directly associated with activating the relaxation response and supporting emotional regulation?
Answer: Effleurage with slow, rhythmic strokes
Slow, rhythmic effleurage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting the relaxation response and supporting emotional regulation.
A client whose pregnancy resulted from fertility treatments shares feelings of guilt and ambivalence despite wanting the pregnancy. The therapist's best response is to:
Answer: Validate that complex emotions are normal even in planned or long-awaited pregnancies
Ambivalence and complex emotions can coexist with a wanted pregnancy; validating this without minimizing or redirecting is most supportive.
The concept of 'holding space' in the context of prenatal massage means:
Answer: Being emotionally present and non-judgmental while the client processes her experience
Holding space refers to the therapeutic posture of being present, non-directive, and non-judgmental while the client experiences her emotional state.