PMH-C Perinatal Mental Health Disorders & Assessment 5

Question 1

A 32-year-old woman at 6 weeks postpartum denies depression but scores 13 on the EPDS. She reports her worst symptom is constant worry about her baby's health. Which additional screening tool would be most useful?

Accepted Answer

GAD-7

Answer

The GAD-7 is a validated tool for assessing generalized anxiety disorder severity and would complement the EPDS by quantifying her predominant anxiety symptoms.

Question 2

Which of the following presentations should prompt a clinician to screen specifically for bipolar disorder in a postpartum patient presenting with mood symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Family history of bipolar disorder, rapid mood shifts, and decreased need for sleep

Answer

Family history of bipolar disorder combined with rapid mood cycling and decreased need for sleep are red flags warranting bipolar screening before initiating antidepressant monotherapy.

Question 3

The EPDS item that most directly assesses panic is:

Accepted Answer

Item 5 ('I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason')

Answer

EPDS item 5 directly asks about feelings of being scared or panicky without a clear reason, making it the most targeted item for panic-like experiences.

Question 4

Infanticide risk in postpartum psychosis is most directly associated with which psychotic feature?

Accepted Answer

Command hallucinations or delusions instructing harm to the infant

Answer

Command hallucinations or delusions (e.g., the belief that the infant must die to be 'saved') directly drive infanticide risk in postpartum psychosis.

Question 5

A perinatal mental health clinician is conducting a comprehensive assessment. Which domain is LEAST likely to be included in a validated perinatal mental health intake evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Detailed financial investment portfolio review

Answer

Financial investment details are not clinically relevant to perinatal mental health risk assessment; social support, trauma history, and prior PMAD history are all established domains.

(PMH-C) Perinatal Mental Health Certification Practice Test

(PMH-C) Perinatal Mental Health Certification Practice Test

PMH-C Perinatal Mental Health Disorders & Assessment 5