PMH-C CERTIFICATION EXAM 2025 | ACCURATE REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
CURRENTLY TESTING | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
Perinatal Period
Question 1:
What does the perinatal period encompass?
A. From conception through the first trimester
B. From conception through the first year of birth
C. From birth to six months postpartum
D. From the third trimester through delivery
Correct Answer: B. From conception through the first year of birth
Rationale:
The perinatal period is defined as the time from conception through the first year after birth. This
period includes both prenatal and postnatal phases, covering critical stages of development for
the infant and significant psychological and physiological changes for the mother.
Maternal Depression
Question 2:
Approximately how many infants are born to mothers with depression each year?
A. 100,000
B. 200,000
C. 400,000
D. 600,000
Correct Answer: C. 400,000
Rationale:
Each year, approximately 400,000 infants are born to mothers who experience depression.
Maternal depression during the perinatal period can have significant impacts on both the mother
and the child, including risks such as impaired bonding and developmental delays.
Question 3:
What is the most underdiagnosed obstetric complication in America?
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Preeclampsia
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,C. Perinatal depression
D. Postpartum hemorrhage
Correct Answer: C. Perinatal depression
Rationale:
Perinatal depression is the most underdiagnosed obstetric complication in America. Despite its
prevalence, it often goes unrecognized due to stigma, lack of screening, and overlap with normal
postpartum experiences. Early identification and treatment are crucial for the well-being of both
the mother and the infant.
Prevalence of PMADS
Question 4:
What is the prevalence of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS) in women?
A. 1 in 10
B. 1 in 7
C. 1 in 5
D. 1 in 3
Correct Answer: B. 1 in 7
Rationale:
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS) affect approximately 1 in 7 women. These
disorders encompass a range of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, that occur
during pregnancy and the postpartum period, significantly impacting maternal and child health.
Question 5:
What is the prevalence of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS) in men?
A. 1 in 20
B. 1 in 15
C. 1 in 10
D. 1 in 5
Correct Answer: C. 1 in 10
Rationale:
PMADS also affect men, with a prevalence of about 1 in 10. Although less frequently discussed,
paternal perinatal mental health is crucial as it can influence family dynamics and the well-being
of the partner and child.
Risks of Untreated PMADS
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,Question 6:
Which of the following are risks associated with untreated Perinatal Mood and Anxiety
Disorders (PMADS)? (Select all that apply)
A. Relationship problems
B. Poor adherence to medication
C. Exacerbation of medical conditions
D. IPV/separation/divorce
E. Loss of interpersonal and financial resources
F. Disability/unemployment
G. Child neglect and abuse
H. Developmental delays/behavioral problems
I. Tobacco, alcohol, and drug use
J. Infanticide, homicide, and suicide
Correct Answers:
A. Relationship problems
B. Poor adherence to medication
C. Exacerbation of medical conditions
D. IPV/separation/divorce
E. Loss of interpersonal and financial resources
F. Disability/unemployment
G. Child neglect and abuse
H. Developmental delays/behavioral problems
I. Tobacco, alcohol, and drug use
J. Infanticide, homicide, and suicide
Rationale:
Untreated PMADS can lead to numerous adverse outcomes, including relationship problems,
poor adherence to medication, exacerbation of existing medical conditions, intimate partner
violence (IPV), loss of interpersonal and financial resources, disability or unemployment, child
neglect and abuse, developmental delays or behavioral problems in children, increased use of
tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, and higher risks of infanticide, homicide, and suicide.
Biological Theories of PMADS Etiology
Question 7:
Which of the following are biological factors implicated in the etiology of Perinatal Mood and
Anxiety Disorders (PMADS)? (Select all that apply)
A. Endocrine dysfunction
B. Hormonal changes
C. Lack of sleep
D. Social support
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, Correct Answers:
A. Endocrine dysfunction
B. Hormonal changes
C. Lack of sleep
Rationale:
Biological theories of PMADS etiology include endocrine dysfunction, hormonal changes, and
lack of sleep. These factors can disrupt neurochemistry and physiological balance, contributing
to the development of mood and anxiety disorders during the perinatal period.
Psychosocial Risk Factors for PMADS
Question 8:
Which of the following are psychosocial risk factors for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
(PMADS)? (Select all that apply)
A. Vulnerability factors such as sleep disturbances and genetics
B. Psychological factors like relationship with mother and ambivalence to parenthood
C. Social/Environmental factors including history of trauma, poor social support, and racism
D. Hormonal changes
Correct Answers:
A. Vulnerability factors such as sleep disturbances and genetics
B. Psychological factors like relationship with mother and ambivalence to parenthood
C. Social/Environmental factors including history of trauma, poor social support, and racism
Rationale:
Psychosocial risk factors for PMADS include vulnerability factors (e.g., sleep disturbances,
genetics), psychological factors (e.g., relationship with mother, ambivalence to parenthood), and
social/environmental factors (e.g., history of trauma, poor social support, racism).
Evidence-Based Psychosocial Risk Factors
Question 9:
Which of the following are evidence-based psychosocial risk factors for Perinatal Mood and
Anxiety Disorders (PMADS)? (Select all that apply)
A. Family or personal history of PMADS
B. Family or personal history of depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorder, bipolar
C. History of childhood sexual abuse
D. High socioeconomic status
Correct Answers:
A. Family or personal history of PMADS
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EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
CURRENTLY TESTING | EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST UPDATE
Perinatal Period
Question 1:
What does the perinatal period encompass?
A. From conception through the first trimester
B. From conception through the first year of birth
C. From birth to six months postpartum
D. From the third trimester through delivery
Correct Answer: B. From conception through the first year of birth
Rationale:
The perinatal period is defined as the time from conception through the first year after birth. This
period includes both prenatal and postnatal phases, covering critical stages of development for
the infant and significant psychological and physiological changes for the mother.
Maternal Depression
Question 2:
Approximately how many infants are born to mothers with depression each year?
A. 100,000
B. 200,000
C. 400,000
D. 600,000
Correct Answer: C. 400,000
Rationale:
Each year, approximately 400,000 infants are born to mothers who experience depression.
Maternal depression during the perinatal period can have significant impacts on both the mother
and the child, including risks such as impaired bonding and developmental delays.
Question 3:
What is the most underdiagnosed obstetric complication in America?
A. Gestational diabetes
B. Preeclampsia
1|Page
,C. Perinatal depression
D. Postpartum hemorrhage
Correct Answer: C. Perinatal depression
Rationale:
Perinatal depression is the most underdiagnosed obstetric complication in America. Despite its
prevalence, it often goes unrecognized due to stigma, lack of screening, and overlap with normal
postpartum experiences. Early identification and treatment are crucial for the well-being of both
the mother and the infant.
Prevalence of PMADS
Question 4:
What is the prevalence of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS) in women?
A. 1 in 10
B. 1 in 7
C. 1 in 5
D. 1 in 3
Correct Answer: B. 1 in 7
Rationale:
Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS) affect approximately 1 in 7 women. These
disorders encompass a range of mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, that occur
during pregnancy and the postpartum period, significantly impacting maternal and child health.
Question 5:
What is the prevalence of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADS) in men?
A. 1 in 20
B. 1 in 15
C. 1 in 10
D. 1 in 5
Correct Answer: C. 1 in 10
Rationale:
PMADS also affect men, with a prevalence of about 1 in 10. Although less frequently discussed,
paternal perinatal mental health is crucial as it can influence family dynamics and the well-being
of the partner and child.
Risks of Untreated PMADS
2|Page
,Question 6:
Which of the following are risks associated with untreated Perinatal Mood and Anxiety
Disorders (PMADS)? (Select all that apply)
A. Relationship problems
B. Poor adherence to medication
C. Exacerbation of medical conditions
D. IPV/separation/divorce
E. Loss of interpersonal and financial resources
F. Disability/unemployment
G. Child neglect and abuse
H. Developmental delays/behavioral problems
I. Tobacco, alcohol, and drug use
J. Infanticide, homicide, and suicide
Correct Answers:
A. Relationship problems
B. Poor adherence to medication
C. Exacerbation of medical conditions
D. IPV/separation/divorce
E. Loss of interpersonal and financial resources
F. Disability/unemployment
G. Child neglect and abuse
H. Developmental delays/behavioral problems
I. Tobacco, alcohol, and drug use
J. Infanticide, homicide, and suicide
Rationale:
Untreated PMADS can lead to numerous adverse outcomes, including relationship problems,
poor adherence to medication, exacerbation of existing medical conditions, intimate partner
violence (IPV), loss of interpersonal and financial resources, disability or unemployment, child
neglect and abuse, developmental delays or behavioral problems in children, increased use of
tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, and higher risks of infanticide, homicide, and suicide.
Biological Theories of PMADS Etiology
Question 7:
Which of the following are biological factors implicated in the etiology of Perinatal Mood and
Anxiety Disorders (PMADS)? (Select all that apply)
A. Endocrine dysfunction
B. Hormonal changes
C. Lack of sleep
D. Social support
3|Page
, Correct Answers:
A. Endocrine dysfunction
B. Hormonal changes
C. Lack of sleep
Rationale:
Biological theories of PMADS etiology include endocrine dysfunction, hormonal changes, and
lack of sleep. These factors can disrupt neurochemistry and physiological balance, contributing
to the development of mood and anxiety disorders during the perinatal period.
Psychosocial Risk Factors for PMADS
Question 8:
Which of the following are psychosocial risk factors for Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
(PMADS)? (Select all that apply)
A. Vulnerability factors such as sleep disturbances and genetics
B. Psychological factors like relationship with mother and ambivalence to parenthood
C. Social/Environmental factors including history of trauma, poor social support, and racism
D. Hormonal changes
Correct Answers:
A. Vulnerability factors such as sleep disturbances and genetics
B. Psychological factors like relationship with mother and ambivalence to parenthood
C. Social/Environmental factors including history of trauma, poor social support, and racism
Rationale:
Psychosocial risk factors for PMADS include vulnerability factors (e.g., sleep disturbances,
genetics), psychological factors (e.g., relationship with mother, ambivalence to parenthood), and
social/environmental factors (e.g., history of trauma, poor social support, racism).
Evidence-Based Psychosocial Risk Factors
Question 9:
Which of the following are evidence-based psychosocial risk factors for Perinatal Mood and
Anxiety Disorders (PMADS)? (Select all that apply)
A. Family or personal history of PMADS
B. Family or personal history of depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorder, bipolar
C. History of childhood sexual abuse
D. High socioeconomic status
Correct Answers:
A. Family or personal history of PMADS
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