PMH-C Assessment and Screening 5

Question 1

Which of the following questions is part of a structured suicide risk assessment for perinatal patients?

Accepted Answer

Do you have access to means such as firearms or medications?

Answer

Means assessment — asking whether the patient has access to lethal means such as firearms or stockpiled medications — is a core component of suicide risk assessment.

Question 2

A perinatal mental health specialist is conducting a comprehensive intake. Which domain is least likely to directly inform the mental health risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

Insurance type and coverage plan

Answer

While insurance information is important for care coordination, it does not directly inform clinical risk assessment in the way that trauma history, social determinants, and relationship safety do.

Question 3

Which screening approach is recommended for identifying intimate partner violence (IPV) during the perinatal period?

Accepted Answer

Screen at each trimester and postpartum using a validated tool such as HITS or WAST

Answer

Best practice guidelines recommend repeated IPV screening throughout the perinatal period using validated tools like HITS (Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream) or WAST (Woman Abuse Screening Tool).

Question 4

A patient with a previous perinatal psychiatric episode presents for a new pregnancy. How should the initial assessment differ from a first-time patient?

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive psychiatric history should be obtained and risk stratified early in pregnancy

Answer

A prior perinatal psychiatric episode significantly increases the risk of recurrence, making early and thorough psychiatric history-taking and risk stratification essential.

Question 5

Which of the following correctly describes the difference between the EPDS and the PHQ-9 in perinatal settings?

Accepted Answer

The EPDS excludes somatic symptoms that overlap with normal pregnancy, reducing false positives

Answer

The EPDS was specifically developed for perinatal populations and excludes somatic items (e.g., fatigue, appetite change) that commonly overlap with normal pregnancy, thereby reducing false positives.

(PMH-C) Perinatal Mental Health Certification Practice Test

(PMH-C) Perinatal Mental Health Certification Practice Test

PMH-C Assessment and Screening 5