Practice Test Geeks(PMH-C) Perinatal Mental Health Certification Practice Test
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Psychopharmacology Flashcards

7 cards from real PMH-C practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Psychopharmacology flashcards as text

  1. A breastfeeding mother with postpartum OCD is being considered for an SSRI. Which agent has the most safety data supporting use during lactation?

    Answer: Sertraline

    Sertraline has extensive lactation safety data, showing low breast milk transfer and minimal infant serum levels.

  2. Which benzodiazepine characteristic is most relevant when prescribing to a breastfeeding mother who needs short-term anxiolytic coverage?

    Answer: Half-life and active metabolites

    Shorter half-life agents with fewer active metabolites (e.g., lorazepam) reduce infant accumulation during breastfeeding.

  3. A patient at 10 weeks gestation has bipolar I disorder and is stable on lithium. What is the primary fetal risk that must be weighed in the decision to continue?

    Answer: Ebstein's anomaly

    Lithium is associated with Ebstein's anomaly (tricuspid valve malformation), though absolute risk is low (~1 in 1000 exposed).

  4. Which antidepressant is generally avoided in breastfeeding due to the highest relative infant dose (RID) and long half-life?

    Answer: Fluoxetine

    Fluoxetine has the longest half-life and an active metabolite (norfluoxetine), resulting in the highest RID among SSRIs.

  5. A patient taking valproate who becomes pregnant is at highest risk for which fetal outcome?

    Answer: Neural tube defects and cognitive impairment

    Valproate carries the highest teratogenic risk among mood stabilizers, causing neural tube defects and significant neurocognitive impairment in exposed children.

  6. A postpartum patient with severe depression requires augmentation. Which atypical antipsychotic has the most favorable lactation profile due to low milk transfer?

    Answer: Quetiapine

    Quetiapine has low relative infant dose (<1%) and is generally preferred when an atypical antipsychotic is needed during breastfeeding.

  7. When discontinuing an SSRI during pregnancy to minimize neonatal adaptation syndrome, what is the recommended timing?

    Answer: Discontinue at 36 weeks gestation

    Tapering SSRIs around 36 weeks may reduce neonatal adaptation syndrome while balancing the mother's relapse risk in late pregnancy and postpartum.