Perinatal Mental Health Flashcards
7 cards from real Maternal Newborn Nursing Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Perinatal Mental Health flashcards as text
A client scores 14 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at her 6-week postpartum visit. What is the nurse's priority action?
Answer: Conduct further assessment including evaluation for suicidal ideation
A score of 14 on the EPDS is significantly above the threshold of 10, indicating serious risk that requires immediate comprehensive assessment including suicide risk evaluation.
When communicating with a client experiencing postpartum depression, which therapeutic communication technique is most appropriate?
Answer: What has your experience been like since bringing your baby home?
Open-ended questions invite the client to share her experience without judgment, which is the foundation of therapeutic communication.
A client with postpartum depression asks the nurse, 'Why does this happen to me?' Which response is most accurate?
Answer: It results from a combination of hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and psychosocial stressors.
PPD is multifactorial, involving hormonal shifts (particularly estrogen and progesterone), sleep deprivation, social support deficits, and individual psychological vulnerabilities.
Which finding during a postpartum home visit requires the nurse to immediately contact the healthcare provider?
Answer: The mother states she has thoughts of harming herself or the infant
Suicidal ideation or thoughts of harming the infant constitute a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate provider notification and intervention.
A nurse is caring for a client with postpartum depression who is reluctant to take antidepressants. Which approach is most appropriate?
Answer: Explore the client's concerns and provide accurate information about all treatment options
Respecting client autonomy by exploring concerns and providing evidence-based information about all treatment options supports informed decision-making and a therapeutic relationship.
Which cultural consideration is most important when screening for postpartum depression?
Answer: Use culturally validated screening tools and recognize that some cultures stigmatize mental illness
Cultural beliefs significantly shape how women express and conceptualize perinatal mental health; using culturally validated tools and recognizing stigma ensures equitable and effective screening.
A postpartum client diagnosed with depression asks about peer support groups. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
Answer: I can provide you with resources for postpartum support groups, which many women find very helpful.
Peer support groups are a valuable, evidence-supported resource for women with PPD, and the nurse should proactively connect clients with available community resources.