PSI Exam: Psychopharmacology
(PSI Manual) 2024 Version
Questions and Already Passed
Answers
A
VI
TU
Why do therapists need to be knowledgeable about medications during perinatal
period? - ANSWER - We are often the front line providers to assess the symptoms,
recognize the risks, refer to the prescribing provider and follow up with patients for
psychotherapy and additional supportive services.
- There is power in having knowledge about medications in case clients express
IS
concerns about taking medication in pregnancy and the postpartum.
What should providers assess? - ANSWER - Patient history and illness severity;
M
- Is medication indicated?
- Risks/benefits of medication exposure vs risk of untreated illness;
O
- Consider addition of other treatment options
What are the providers roles and objectives? - ANSWER - Assess
A
- Develop communication skills for discussing treatment plan
- Maintain updated local referral network
N
- Read and stay up to date on perinatal mental health
JP
Close to _________ % of women aged 12 years and over have used an antidepressant
medication. - ANSWER - Close to 13%
True or False: Since up to 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, early exposure has often
occurred? - ANSWER - True.
Treatment decisions must be evaluated individually. What must you consider? -
ANSWER - Current symptoms;
- Past treatment history;
- Personal and cultural considerations; and
,- Family history
True or False: Psychiatric prescribers can be uncomfortable prescribing during
pregnancy? - ANSWER - True.
True or False: OB practitioners are sometimes unfamiliar with psychiatric assessment
and prescribing - ANSWER - True.
True or False: Often other professionals offer input on treatment decisions, which can
A
be ill informed and outdated causing mothers to doubt their healthcare provider. -
ANSWER - True.
VI
You have two patients. Treatment potentially benefits whom? - ANSWER - The
mother and the fetus.
TU
Failure to treat poses potential risks to whom? - ANSWER - Potential risks to mother
and fetus
True or False: When a psychiatric condition necessitates pharmacotherapy, the benefits
IS
of such therapy far outweigh the potential minimal risks? - ANSWER - True
Why is there so much conflicting data on perinatal and medications? - ANSWER -
M
No randomized, double blind, placebo controlled studies.
- Many studies are retrospective database and case control studies.
O
What are some confounding variables in assessing risk? - ANSWER - Other
prescription and non prescription drugs
A
- nutrition
- ETOH/cigarettes
N
- genetic influences
- obesity
JP
- method of delivery
- environmental toxins
- maternal/paternal age
- length of gestation
- stress
- SES
- measurements of mood during treatment
, According to the Joint Report from APA and ACOG, what are the Depression During
Pregnancy Treatment Guidelines for mild to moderate depression? - ANSWER -
Psychotherapy as first line
- continue meds if needed
According to the Joint Report from APA and ACOG, what are the Depression During
Pregnancy Treatment Guidelines for severe or recurrent depression? - ANSWER -
Continue meds
A
According to the Joint Report from APA and ACOG, what are the Depression During
Pregnancy Treatment Guidelines for suicidal or psychotic? - ANSWER - Immediate
VI
referral to hospital or psychiatric care provider
All treatment decisions are based on what? - ANSWER - Based on a risk/benefit
TU
analysis; and
- Made on a case by case basis
Is there a medication that is "safest" or "best" for use during pregnancy and the
postpartum period or lactation? - ANSWER - No
IS
Is there a single study that tells the whole story? - ANSWER - No. All literature must
be read critically.
M
Do all exposures in pregnancy carry some level of risk? - ANSWER - Yes.
O
Psychiatric illness and psychiatric medications pose risks to whom? - ANSWER -
Both the mother and the fetus.
A
Something to remember about treatment decisions and medication: - ANSWER -
N
Every mother deserves to enjoy parenthood.
- Every baby deserves a healthy mother/parent.
JP
What are some treatment concerns regarding medication use in pregnancy? -
ANSWER 1. Miscarriage
2. Congenital malformation
3. Preterm delivery/low birth weight
4. Neonatal Adaptation Syndrome
5. PPHN
6. Long Term neurobehavioral effects
7. Autism
(PSI Manual) 2024 Version
Questions and Already Passed
Answers
A
VI
TU
Why do therapists need to be knowledgeable about medications during perinatal
period? - ANSWER - We are often the front line providers to assess the symptoms,
recognize the risks, refer to the prescribing provider and follow up with patients for
psychotherapy and additional supportive services.
- There is power in having knowledge about medications in case clients express
IS
concerns about taking medication in pregnancy and the postpartum.
What should providers assess? - ANSWER - Patient history and illness severity;
M
- Is medication indicated?
- Risks/benefits of medication exposure vs risk of untreated illness;
O
- Consider addition of other treatment options
What are the providers roles and objectives? - ANSWER - Assess
A
- Develop communication skills for discussing treatment plan
- Maintain updated local referral network
N
- Read and stay up to date on perinatal mental health
JP
Close to _________ % of women aged 12 years and over have used an antidepressant
medication. - ANSWER - Close to 13%
True or False: Since up to 50% of pregnancies are unplanned, early exposure has often
occurred? - ANSWER - True.
Treatment decisions must be evaluated individually. What must you consider? -
ANSWER - Current symptoms;
- Past treatment history;
- Personal and cultural considerations; and
,- Family history
True or False: Psychiatric prescribers can be uncomfortable prescribing during
pregnancy? - ANSWER - True.
True or False: OB practitioners are sometimes unfamiliar with psychiatric assessment
and prescribing - ANSWER - True.
True or False: Often other professionals offer input on treatment decisions, which can
A
be ill informed and outdated causing mothers to doubt their healthcare provider. -
ANSWER - True.
VI
You have two patients. Treatment potentially benefits whom? - ANSWER - The
mother and the fetus.
TU
Failure to treat poses potential risks to whom? - ANSWER - Potential risks to mother
and fetus
True or False: When a psychiatric condition necessitates pharmacotherapy, the benefits
IS
of such therapy far outweigh the potential minimal risks? - ANSWER - True
Why is there so much conflicting data on perinatal and medications? - ANSWER -
M
No randomized, double blind, placebo controlled studies.
- Many studies are retrospective database and case control studies.
O
What are some confounding variables in assessing risk? - ANSWER - Other
prescription and non prescription drugs
A
- nutrition
- ETOH/cigarettes
N
- genetic influences
- obesity
JP
- method of delivery
- environmental toxins
- maternal/paternal age
- length of gestation
- stress
- SES
- measurements of mood during treatment
, According to the Joint Report from APA and ACOG, what are the Depression During
Pregnancy Treatment Guidelines for mild to moderate depression? - ANSWER -
Psychotherapy as first line
- continue meds if needed
According to the Joint Report from APA and ACOG, what are the Depression During
Pregnancy Treatment Guidelines for severe or recurrent depression? - ANSWER -
Continue meds
A
According to the Joint Report from APA and ACOG, what are the Depression During
Pregnancy Treatment Guidelines for suicidal or psychotic? - ANSWER - Immediate
VI
referral to hospital or psychiatric care provider
All treatment decisions are based on what? - ANSWER - Based on a risk/benefit
TU
analysis; and
- Made on a case by case basis
Is there a medication that is "safest" or "best" for use during pregnancy and the
postpartum period or lactation? - ANSWER - No
IS
Is there a single study that tells the whole story? - ANSWER - No. All literature must
be read critically.
M
Do all exposures in pregnancy carry some level of risk? - ANSWER - Yes.
O
Psychiatric illness and psychiatric medications pose risks to whom? - ANSWER -
Both the mother and the fetus.
A
Something to remember about treatment decisions and medication: - ANSWER -
N
Every mother deserves to enjoy parenthood.
- Every baby deserves a healthy mother/parent.
JP
What are some treatment concerns regarding medication use in pregnancy? -
ANSWER 1. Miscarriage
2. Congenital malformation
3. Preterm delivery/low birth weight
4. Neonatal Adaptation Syndrome
5. PPHN
6. Long Term neurobehavioral effects
7. Autism
