Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) Exam
Questions With Complete Solutions
___ interventions should be maximized before starting
medications Correct Answers Non-pharmacologic
___ is essential "medicine" and the most important treatment
Correct Answers Sleep
"Trauma is in the eye of the ___." Correct Answers Beholder
(T/F): if you have postpartum psychosis it means you will kill
your child Correct Answers False
According to a 2003 study, how long should therapy be for
helping manage perinatal depression? Correct Answers 10-12
weeks, although treatment length varies and depends on many
factors
According to a 2013 AAP Survey, what percentage of
pediatricians assess for PPD? Correct Answers Fewer than one-
half (46%)
According to a 2016 study, what is the association between
ACEs and pregnancy outcomes? Correct Answers Each
additional ACE a mother experienced during early childhood
was associated with:
- decreased birth weight
- gestational age at birth
,According to a study from 2006-2012, what is the prevalence of
suicides are within the 12-18 age group of pregnant women?
Correct Answers 10%
According to Nordeng (2012), "When a psychiatric condition
necessitates pharmacotherapy, the benefits of such therapy ____
the potential minimum risks." Correct Answers far outweigh
According to the APA and ACOG, what are the
psychopharmacological treatment guidelines for depression
during pregnancy? Correct Answers - for mild to moderate,
psychotherapy as first line, continue meds if needed
- for severe or recurrent, continue meds
- for suicidal or psychotic, immediate referral to hospital or
psychiatric care provider
According to the formal definition of perinatal mental health
disorders (PMHDs), when can their onset begin? Correct
Answers Anytime during or after pregnancy, up to 1 year
postpartum, including losses.
All exposures to medication in pregnancy carry ____ risk
Correct Answers some level of
All postpartum women, men, and families should do the
following to take preventative measures to promote mental
health: Correct Answers - be encouraged to get adequate rest,
sleep, body movement, and nutrition
- receive accurate information about PMHDs and treatment
- create a postpartum coping and support plan
,Are cardiac malformations a risk regarding
psychopharmacology during pregnancy? Correct Answers Not
a true risk
Are congenital abnormalities a risk regarding
psychopharmacology during pregnancy? Correct Answers Not
a true risk, the risk of this in the general population is 3%
Are ECT and TMS safe for pregnancy? Correct Answers Yes
Are intrusive thoughts ego-dystonic or ego-syntonic? Correct
Answers ego-dystonic (not aligned with their sense of self, no
intent)
Are long term neurobehavioral effects a risk regarding
psychopharmacology during pregnancy? Correct Answers Not
a true risk
Are probiotics helpful for pregnant women? Correct Answers
Yes, there is emerging research that lactobacillus can reduce sx
of depression and anxiety postpartum, along with infant colic
Are psychotropic medications addictive? Correct Answers
SSRIs and SNRIs are not; benzodiazepines can be if not used
properly
At least what percentage of women with postpartum depression
are symptomatic during pregnancy? Correct Answers 50%
, Breastfeeding has a ___ association with depression and
depression has a ___ association with breastfeeding Correct
Answers positive; negative
Breastfeeding is associated with a (higher/lower) risk of PPD,
for women who had NOT planned to breastfeed Correct
Answers higher
Breastfeeding is strongly associated with a (higher/lower) risk of
PPD, for women who had planned to breastfeed Correct
Answers lower
By what percentage does screening reduce relative risk of
depression at 3-5 months? Correct Answers 18-59%
Dads prefer supports which are: Correct Answers - informal
(friends, family, work colleagues, online information)
- from fathers themselves
- supportive of a "winging it" on-the-fly approach to seeking
support
Do PMHDs have onset during the "baby blues?" Correct
Answers They can, or they can arise later.
Does the PSI Helpline offer phone or text support? Correct
Answers Both! At 1-800-944-4773. Remember it is not a crisis
hotline.
High levels of paternal anxiety predicts an increase in what for
the child? Correct Answers Infant negative affect and child
internalizing
Questions With Complete Solutions
___ interventions should be maximized before starting
medications Correct Answers Non-pharmacologic
___ is essential "medicine" and the most important treatment
Correct Answers Sleep
"Trauma is in the eye of the ___." Correct Answers Beholder
(T/F): if you have postpartum psychosis it means you will kill
your child Correct Answers False
According to a 2003 study, how long should therapy be for
helping manage perinatal depression? Correct Answers 10-12
weeks, although treatment length varies and depends on many
factors
According to a 2013 AAP Survey, what percentage of
pediatricians assess for PPD? Correct Answers Fewer than one-
half (46%)
According to a 2016 study, what is the association between
ACEs and pregnancy outcomes? Correct Answers Each
additional ACE a mother experienced during early childhood
was associated with:
- decreased birth weight
- gestational age at birth
,According to a study from 2006-2012, what is the prevalence of
suicides are within the 12-18 age group of pregnant women?
Correct Answers 10%
According to Nordeng (2012), "When a psychiatric condition
necessitates pharmacotherapy, the benefits of such therapy ____
the potential minimum risks." Correct Answers far outweigh
According to the APA and ACOG, what are the
psychopharmacological treatment guidelines for depression
during pregnancy? Correct Answers - for mild to moderate,
psychotherapy as first line, continue meds if needed
- for severe or recurrent, continue meds
- for suicidal or psychotic, immediate referral to hospital or
psychiatric care provider
According to the formal definition of perinatal mental health
disorders (PMHDs), when can their onset begin? Correct
Answers Anytime during or after pregnancy, up to 1 year
postpartum, including losses.
All exposures to medication in pregnancy carry ____ risk
Correct Answers some level of
All postpartum women, men, and families should do the
following to take preventative measures to promote mental
health: Correct Answers - be encouraged to get adequate rest,
sleep, body movement, and nutrition
- receive accurate information about PMHDs and treatment
- create a postpartum coping and support plan
,Are cardiac malformations a risk regarding
psychopharmacology during pregnancy? Correct Answers Not
a true risk
Are congenital abnormalities a risk regarding
psychopharmacology during pregnancy? Correct Answers Not
a true risk, the risk of this in the general population is 3%
Are ECT and TMS safe for pregnancy? Correct Answers Yes
Are intrusive thoughts ego-dystonic or ego-syntonic? Correct
Answers ego-dystonic (not aligned with their sense of self, no
intent)
Are long term neurobehavioral effects a risk regarding
psychopharmacology during pregnancy? Correct Answers Not
a true risk
Are probiotics helpful for pregnant women? Correct Answers
Yes, there is emerging research that lactobacillus can reduce sx
of depression and anxiety postpartum, along with infant colic
Are psychotropic medications addictive? Correct Answers
SSRIs and SNRIs are not; benzodiazepines can be if not used
properly
At least what percentage of women with postpartum depression
are symptomatic during pregnancy? Correct Answers 50%
, Breastfeeding has a ___ association with depression and
depression has a ___ association with breastfeeding Correct
Answers positive; negative
Breastfeeding is associated with a (higher/lower) risk of PPD,
for women who had NOT planned to breastfeed Correct
Answers higher
Breastfeeding is strongly associated with a (higher/lower) risk of
PPD, for women who had planned to breastfeed Correct
Answers lower
By what percentage does screening reduce relative risk of
depression at 3-5 months? Correct Answers 18-59%
Dads prefer supports which are: Correct Answers - informal
(friends, family, work colleagues, online information)
- from fathers themselves
- supportive of a "winging it" on-the-fly approach to seeking
support
Do PMHDs have onset during the "baby blues?" Correct
Answers They can, or they can arise later.
Does the PSI Helpline offer phone or text support? Correct
Answers Both! At 1-800-944-4773. Remember it is not a crisis
hotline.
High levels of paternal anxiety predicts an increase in what for
the child? Correct Answers Infant negative affect and child
internalizing
