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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Postpartum Depression Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Quick, free postnatal depression quiz to check what you know. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Lizzie PfeifferUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting a trivia quiz about Postpartum Depression Knowledge Test

This postpartum depression quiz helps you check what you know about common signs, risk factors, and supportive steps, with clear feedback at the end. If you are brushing up on perinatal topics, try the labor and delivery quiz, build bedside skills with the patient care quiz, or explore the basics with pregnancy trivia questions.

Which of the following is a common sign of postpartum depression?
Improved concentration and focus.
Increased energy and hyperactivity.
Persistent feeling of sadness and hopelessness.
Brief mood swings that resolve in a few hours.
Persistent sadness and hopelessness are hallmark signs of postpartum depression, whereas brief mood swings are more characteristic of the baby blues. Increased energy and improved focus are not typical depressive symptoms.
Which factor increases the risk of developing postpartum depression?
History of depression or anxiety.
Adequate sleep.
Having a supportive partner.
Regular physical exercise.
A personal history of depression or anxiety is a well-established risk factor for postpartum depression. Support, exercise, and adequate sleep are generally protective factors.
According to DSM-5 specifier, postpartum depressive episodes begin within how many weeks after delivery?
8 weeks.
2 weeks.
4 weeks.
12 weeks.
The DSM-5 uses a specifier indicating onset of depressive episodes within four weeks postpartum. Other timeframes are not part of the formal specifier.
What does the abbreviation EPDS stand for?
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.
Enhanced Postpartum Distress Survey.
Early Post-Delivery Distress Scale.
Electronic Postnatal Dysphoria Screen.
EPDS refers to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, a widely used self-report tool for screening postpartum depression. The other names are not correct.
Which statement best distinguishes the 'baby blues' from postpartum depression?
Baby blues include psychotic symptoms, PPD does not.
Baby blues typically resolve within two weeks, whereas postpartum depression persists longer.
Baby blues occur in the second year postpartum, PPD in first month.
Baby blues always require medication, PPD never does.
The baby blues generally resolve within the first two weeks postpartum, while postpartum depression lasts longer and may require intervention. Psychotic symptoms, timing, and treatment requirements in the other options are inaccurate.
At which routine postpartum visit is it recommended to screen for postpartum depression using tools like the EPDS?
Birth hospital discharge.
Two-year well-child visit.
Six-month postpartum visit.
Six-week postpartum visit.
Clinical guidelines often recommend screening for postpartum depression around the six-week postpartum visit to ensure timely detection. Screening at discharge or much later visits may miss the optimal intervention window.
On the EPDS, what score is commonly used as the cutoff point indicating possible postpartum depression?
8 or higher.
13 or higher.
5 or higher.
20 or higher.
A score of 13 or above on the EPDS is widely accepted as indicating probable postpartum depression and the need for further assessment. Lower thresholds may increase false positives.
Which of the following is NOT considered a risk factor for postpartum depression?
Low social support.
Baby's gender.
Hormonal fluctuations after birth.
Previous history of depression.
Baby's gender has not been shown to directly influence the risk of postpartum depression. A history of depression, low social support, and hormonal changes are established risk factors.
Which psychotherapeutic approach is evidence-based as a first-line treatment for postpartum depression?
Psychoanalytic therapy.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
Hypnotherapy.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) has strong evidence for treating postpartum depression by focusing on role transitions and social support. The other approaches lack the same level of empirical support in this context.
A woman scores 15 on the EPDS. What is the most appropriate next step?
No action is needed for scores below 20.
Refer her to a mental health professional for further assessment.
Provide reassurance and schedule routine follow-up in one year.
Suggest she retake the EPDS in six months.
An EPDS score of 13 or above indicates probable depression and warrants referral for a comprehensive mental health assessment. Delaying evaluation could worsen outcomes.
Which evidence-based strategy can support postpartum mental health?
Avoiding all social interactions.
Encouraging adequate sleep and rest schedules.
Increasing caffeine intake to boost energy.
Isolating oneself to avoid overstimulation.
Maintaining good sleep hygiene is critical for postpartum mental health. Isolation, excessive caffeine, and social withdrawal can exacerbate depressive symptoms.
Which organization specifically offers peer support, resources, and guidance for postpartum mood disorders?
Postpartum Support International.
World Health Organization.
American Heart Association.
La Leche League.
Postpartum Support International specializes in postpartum mood disorders, providing peer support and resources. La Leche League focuses on breastfeeding support rather than mood assessment.
Which statement is true regarding the treatment of moderate-to-severe postpartum depression?
Medication alone without any support has the highest success rate.
Combination of psychotherapy and medication often leads to faster remission.
Psychotherapy alone is always sufficient.
Electroconvulsive therapy is the routine first-line for all cases.
Combination therapy generally leads to better and faster outcomes in moderate-to-severe cases. ECT is reserved for treatment-resistant or psychotic depression, not routine first-line use.
Screening women for postpartum depression using the EPDS is an example of what level of prevention?
Secondary prevention.
Primary prevention.
Tertiary prevention.
Quaternary prevention.
Secondary prevention involves early detection and intervention to halt progression of a condition. Primary prevention aims to prevent onset, while tertiary focuses on reducing impact.
Approximately how long does it take to complete the EPDS questionnaire?
10 seconds.
2 to 5 minutes.
30 to 45 minutes.
1 hour.
The EPDS is designed to be brief and typically takes about 2 - 5 minutes to complete, facilitating quick screening in busy clinical settings.
Which selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is generally preferred for breastfeeding mothers with postpartum depression due to minimal breast milk transfer?
Paroxetine.
Fluoxetine.
Sertraline.
Citalopram.
Sertraline has one of the lowest milk-to-plasma ratios and is the most studied SSRI in breastfeeding women, making it a preferred choice. Fluoxetine and others have higher levels in breast milk.
What is the most appropriate intervention for a postpartum woman exhibiting depressive symptoms with psychotic features?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) alone.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Light exercise regimen.
Increased social support only.
ECT is the treatment of choice for severe depression with psychotic features because it provides rapid symptom relief and reduces risk. Psychotherapy or social support alone is insufficient in such high-risk cases.
In safety planning for a postpartum patient with suicidal ideation, which element is essential?
Identifying personal warning signs of crisis.
Advising avoidance of all social contacts.
Prescribing high-dose caffeine.
Recommending heavy alcohol use to dull feelings.
Effective safety planning begins with recognizing personal warning signs. Substance use and isolation strategies are contraindicated and increase risk.
The mechanism of action of interpersonal therapy (IPT) in treating postpartum depression primarily involves which focus?
Addressing interpersonal conflicts and role transitions.
Correcting distorted automatic thoughts.
Modulating neurotransmitter activity.
Systematic desensitization to feared stimuli.
IPT centers on improving interpersonal relationships and navigating role transitions, particularly the shift to motherhood. It does not directly target thought patterns or biological mechanisms.
In a stepped-care model for postpartum depression, what is the initial step for women with mild symptoms?
Refer directly to inpatient psychiatric care.
Begin electroconvulsive therapy.
Provide low-intensity interventions such as self-help and psychoeducation.
Immediately prescribe high-dose pharmacotherapy.
Stepped-care models start with the least intensive, least invasive interventions - such as self-help and psychoeducation - and escalate only if symptoms persist or worsen.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify common signs and risk factors of postpartum depression
  2. Analyse screening tools like the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale
  3. Evaluate appropriate interventions and treatment options
  4. Apply evidence-based strategies to support postpartum mental health
  5. Demonstrate understanding of postpartum support resources available

Cheat Sheet

  1. Spot the Warning Signs - Recognizing persistent sadness, loss of interest and feelings of worthlessness early can help turn the tide against postpartum blues. If mom feels stuck in a gloomy cloud, it's time to reach out for help.
  2. Dig into Risk Factors - Knowing your risk factors like a history of depression, minimal support or recent trauma can prep you for early prevention. Understanding these clues is key to planning a proactive support system.
  3. Explore the EPDS Screening Tool - The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale is a quick 10-item quiz to map mood swings, energy dips or persistent worries after baby arrives. It's your first step to a clarity check.
  4. Interpret Your EPDS Score - Scoring above 10 on the EPDS hints at possible postpartum depression, signaling the need for professional follow-up. It's like a red flag that says "Time to chat with a clinician!"
  5. Check Out Treatment Options - From brain tweakers like CBT to heart-to-heart sessions in interpersonal therapy, there's a toolbox of approaches proven to ease postpartum depression. Pick what resonates with your style.
  6. Know When Medication Helps - Sometimes therapy alone isn't the full answer and antidepressants can be a game-changer. Talking risks, benefits and timing with a provider ensures moms get the right balance.
  7. Embrace Early & Ongoing Screening - Symptoms can pop up weeks or even months postpartum, so regular check-ins with healthcare pros keep you one step ahead. Keep the conversation alive from pregnancy through baby's first year.
  8. Lean on Available Support - Counseling services, support groups and 24/7 hotlines are lifelines for new parents. Building your support network early means you won't have to face tough days alone.
  9. Rally Friends & Family - A solid squad of loved ones can provide everything from diaper duty escapes to empathetic listening. Engaging trusted pals in your recovery plan multiplies the care and compassion.
  10. Prioritize Preventive Check-Ups - Scheduling regular mental health evaluations before and after baby's arrival helps catch concerns early. Think of it as a wellness roadmap to steer clear of postpartum storm clouds.
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