Postpartum Depression Quiz: Clinical Knowledge & Assessment

1. A client is diagnosed with postpartum depression and has limited financial resources for therapy. What community resource should the nurse prioritize?

Private psychiatric practice

Community mental health center or support group

Inpatient psychiatric hospitalization

Online therapy subscriptions

Submit

3. A postpartum client with depression expresses guilt about not enjoying motherhood. What is the most therapeutic nursing response?

Reassure her that all mothers feel this way.

Validate her feelings and explain that depression affects mood and bonding.

Encourage her to spend more time with the baby.

Suggest she may not be suited for motherhood.

4. A nurse is counseling a client at risk for postpartum depression. Which preventive strategy is most evidence-based?

Avoid all stress during pregnancy

Establish strong social support and prepare for postpartum period

Start antidepressants during pregnancy

Limit contact with family after delivery

5. Which postpartum mood disorder is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and severe agitation?

Postpartum blues

Postpartum depression

Postpartum psychosis

Adjustment disorder with depressed mood

6. A client with postpartum depression is prescribed sertraline. What is the expected timeline for therapeutic benefit?

Within 24-48 hours

Within 3-5 days

Within 2-4 weeks

Within 8-12 weeks

7. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a client with postpartum depression who expresses hopelessness?

Impaired parent-infant attachment

Risk for self-harm

Ineffective coping

Sleep deprivation

8. True or False: Postpartum depression only occurs in women with a prior history of depression.

True

False

9. A postpartum client reports anhedonia, fatigue, and inability to concentrate. How long must these symptoms persist to meet diagnostic criteria for postpartum depression?

At least 1 week

At least 2 weeks

At least 4 weeks

At least 8 weeks

10. Which hormone fluctuation is most directly implicated in postpartum mood changes?

Rapid decrease in estrogen and progesterone

Elevated thyroid hormone

Increased cortisol levels

Decreased insulin sensitivity

11. What is the primary difference between postpartum blues and postpartum depression?

Blues resolve within 2 weeks; depression persists beyond 2 weeks

Blues only occur in first-time mothers; depression occurs in all parities

Blues require medication; depression resolves without treatment

Blues are a psychiatric disorder; depression is a normal adjustment

12. Which screening tool is validated for detecting postpartum depression?

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

All of the above

13. True or False: Postpartum depression is entirely preventable with proper prenatal education.

True

False

14. A client with postpartum depression is breastfeeding. Which SSRI is considered safest during lactation?

Fluoxetine

Sertraline

Paroxetine

Citalopram

15. Which medication class is commonly used as first-line treatment for postpartum depression?

Benzodiazepines

Antipsychotics

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Mood stabilizers

16. A postpartum client refuses to hold or care for her infant and expresses thoughts that the baby would be better off without her. What is the priority nursing intervention?

Ensure mother-infant bonding activities daily

Assess for suicidal or infanticidal ideation immediately

Encourage the client to rest while you provide infant care

Teach the client about normal newborn care

17. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is primarily associated with postpartum depression?

Serotonin

Acetylcholine

Glutamate

GABA

18. A client reports persistent sadness, guilt about mothering abilities, and difficulty bonding with her newborn at 3 weeks postpartum. Which assessment question is most appropriate?

Are you thinking about harming yourself or the baby?

Do you miss your pre-pregnancy body?

Have you considered returning to work?

Are you getting enough sleep?

19. According to DSM-5, postpartum depression must occur within how many weeks of delivery?

2 weeks

4 weeks

8 weeks

12 weeks

20. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for postpartum depression?

History of major depressive disorder

Primigravida status

Lack of social support

Stressful life events during pregnancy

Postpartum Depression Quiz: Blues or Beyond?