-
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION (PMH-C) EXAM
NEWEST 2025 VERSION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+ .
What is the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II
disorders? – ANSWER-Bipolar I has manic episodes; Bipolar II
has hypomanic episodes and longer, more severe episodes of
depression
What are the symptoms of mania/hypomania (or the "highs" of
bipolar disorder)? - ANSWER-- increased physical and mental
activity and energy
- heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and confidence
- excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
- decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
- racing speech, thoughts, flight of ideas
- impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility
- reckless behavior
- grandiosity
- in the most severe cases, psychotic features
,___ interventions should be maximized before starting
medications – ANSWER-Non-pharmacologic
What are the major SSRIs for prescription in perinatal
depression/anxiety? - ANSWER-SSRIs are 1st line
antidepressants
FPECS
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- citalopram (Celexa)
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
What are the major SNRIs (all 2nd line) for prescription in
perinatal
depression/anxiety? - ANSWER-SNRIs are more on the anti-
anxiety spectrum
DVD
- duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- venlafaxine (Effexor)
- desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
-
,What are atypical (not first line) medications for prescription in
perinatal depression/anxiety? - ANSWER-- Bupropion
(Wellbutrin) - anti-anxiety
- Mirtazepine (Remeron) - anti-anxiety
- Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
3rd line anti-anxiety/anti-depressants:
- TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants)
- MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), rarely used
What is the research on stimulant medications during
pregnancy? – ANSWER-The data on the effects of stimulants
(methylphenidate and amphetamines) in pregnancy are
generally reassuring, but methylphenidate might slightly
increase the rate of cardiac malformations and of spontaneous
abortions, while amphetamines might slightly increase the risk
for premature birth, low birth weight
What is the research on antipsychotic medications during
pregnancy? - ANSWER-The overall risk of congenital
malformations with early pregnancy exposure to typical or
atypical antipsychotics is minimal. There is a concern that
risperidone, and by extension paliperidone, may slightly
increase the risk of malformations.
-
, What are some examples of intrusive thoughts that perinatal
clients may
experience? - ANSWER-- throwing baby out the window
- stabbing the baby
- suffocating baby
- microwaving baby
- drowning the baby
- touching the baby inappropriately
- inflicting self harm
- driving into a tree
- jumping out the window
- other escape themes
Intrusive thoughts (ARE/ARE NOT) indicative of psychosis -
ANSWER-ARE
NOT
Are intrusive thoughts ego-dystonic or ego-syntonic? -
ANSWER-ego-dystonic (not aligned with their sense of self, no
intent)
Why are tricyclic antidepressants not typically used during
perinatal period? - ANSWER-- difficult to manage
- levels required
-
PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CERTIFICATION (PMH-C) EXAM
NEWEST 2025 VERSION COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+ .
What is the difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II
disorders? – ANSWER-Bipolar I has manic episodes; Bipolar II
has hypomanic episodes and longer, more severe episodes of
depression
What are the symptoms of mania/hypomania (or the "highs" of
bipolar disorder)? - ANSWER-- increased physical and mental
activity and energy
- heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and confidence
- excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
- decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
- racing speech, thoughts, flight of ideas
- impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility
- reckless behavior
- grandiosity
- in the most severe cases, psychotic features
,___ interventions should be maximized before starting
medications – ANSWER-Non-pharmacologic
What are the major SSRIs for prescription in perinatal
depression/anxiety? - ANSWER-SSRIs are 1st line
antidepressants
FPECS
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- citalopram (Celexa)
- escitalopram (Lexapro)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)
What are the major SNRIs (all 2nd line) for prescription in
perinatal
depression/anxiety? - ANSWER-SNRIs are more on the anti-
anxiety spectrum
DVD
- duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- venlafaxine (Effexor)
- desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)
-
,What are atypical (not first line) medications for prescription in
perinatal depression/anxiety? - ANSWER-- Bupropion
(Wellbutrin) - anti-anxiety
- Mirtazepine (Remeron) - anti-anxiety
- Vortioxetine (Trintellix)
3rd line anti-anxiety/anti-depressants:
- TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants)
- MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), rarely used
What is the research on stimulant medications during
pregnancy? – ANSWER-The data on the effects of stimulants
(methylphenidate and amphetamines) in pregnancy are
generally reassuring, but methylphenidate might slightly
increase the rate of cardiac malformations and of spontaneous
abortions, while amphetamines might slightly increase the risk
for premature birth, low birth weight
What is the research on antipsychotic medications during
pregnancy? - ANSWER-The overall risk of congenital
malformations with early pregnancy exposure to typical or
atypical antipsychotics is minimal. There is a concern that
risperidone, and by extension paliperidone, may slightly
increase the risk of malformations.
-
, What are some examples of intrusive thoughts that perinatal
clients may
experience? - ANSWER-- throwing baby out the window
- stabbing the baby
- suffocating baby
- microwaving baby
- drowning the baby
- touching the baby inappropriately
- inflicting self harm
- driving into a tree
- jumping out the window
- other escape themes
Intrusive thoughts (ARE/ARE NOT) indicative of psychosis -
ANSWER-ARE
NOT
Are intrusive thoughts ego-dystonic or ego-syntonic? -
ANSWER-ego-dystonic (not aligned with their sense of self, no
intent)
Why are tricyclic antidepressants not typically used during
perinatal period? - ANSWER-- difficult to manage
- levels required
-
