PSI Perinatal Loss and Grief 2

Question 1

What is the recommended approach for a healthcare provider when a patient presents after a first-trimester miscarriage?

Accepted Answer

Offer emotional support, validate the loss, and assess for mental health symptoms

Answer

Focus primarily on physical recovery and schedule the next routine appointment

Answer

Inform the patient that first-trimester losses are common and medically minor

Answer

Encourage immediate future pregnancy planning to help the patient move forward

Question 2

Which statement best describes the grief experience of fathers and partners after perinatal loss?

Accepted Answer

Partners experience genuine grief but may express it differently and receive less social support

Answer

Partners rarely experience significant grief compared to the birthing parent

Answer

Partners typically grieve more intensely than the birthing parent

Answer

Partners are largely unaffected by perinatal loss beyond practical concerns

Question 3

In perinatal loss communities, what does the term 'rainbow baby' refer to?

Accepted Answer

A baby born after a prior pregnancy or infant loss

Answer

A baby born with a chromosomal condition such as trisomy 21

Answer

A baby born via surrogacy or embryo donation

Answer

A baby born via in vitro fertilization

Question 4

During a perinatal loss support group, a parent expresses intense guilt about their miscarriage. What is the most therapeutic facilitator response?

Accepted Answer

Normalize guilt as a common grief response and explore the parent's feelings with empathy

Answer

Provide medical facts explaining that the loss was not their fault

Answer

Redirect the conversation toward more positive topics to lift the mood

Answer

Suggest the parent seek individual therapy instead of group support

Question 5

When using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) after a perinatal loss, what is a critical interpretive consideration?

Accepted Answer

Elevated scores may reflect normal grief symptoms rather than, or in addition to, clinical depression

Answer

The EPDS is invalid for women who have experienced perinatal loss and should not be used

Answer

The EPDS should only be administered six months after the loss to allow grief to stabilize

Answer

Partners should complete the EPDS on behalf of the bereaved parent

Question 6

Which of the following is a recognized risk factor for more severe psychological distress following perinatal loss?

Accepted Answer

A previous personal history of depression or anxiety

Answer

Having other living children at home

Answer

A strong existing social support network

Answer

A planned pregnancy with comprehensive prenatal care

Question 7

What does PSI recommend regarding memory-making opportunities after perinatal loss?

Accepted Answer

Support families who wish to create memories such as photos and mementos, as it can aid the grieving process

Answer

Discourage memory-making as it may prolong or intensify grief

Answer

Limit memory-making to reduce the risk of traumatic triggers in bereaved parents

Answer

Require all bereaved families to participate in standardized memory-making protocols