Perinatal psychiatry: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Perinatal psychiatry

Sample item

On day 4 after delivery of a healthy baby, a 26-year-old woman is tearful, anxious and emotionally labile. She cares for the infant well and has no psychotic symptoms. What is the best management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Reassurance and supportive follow-up

Postpartum blues are very common, begin in the first week and settle within about two weeks without treatment. Symptoms that persist beyond this period, or that include psychosis or functional impairment, should prompt assessment for postpartum depression or psychosis.

Option by option

  • A. Electroconvulsive therapy

    Electroconvulsive therapy is reserved for severe, resistant or life-threatening illness.

  • B. Admission to a mother-baby unit with an antipsychotic

    Admission and an antipsychotic are for postpartum psychosis, which this woman does not have.

  • C. Reassurance and supportive follow-up (correct)

    Correct. A transient, mild, self-limiting condition needs reassurance and support.

  • D. Starting lithium

    Lithium is not indicated for self-limiting postpartum blues.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Reassurance and supportive follow-up. Postpartum blues are very common, begin in the first week and settle within about two weeks without treatment.

Why is "Electroconvulsive therapy" not the answer?

Electroconvulsive therapy is reserved for severe, resistant or life-threatening illness.

Why is "Admission to a mother-baby unit with an antipsychotic" not the answer?

Admission and an antipsychotic are for postpartum psychosis, which this woman does not have.

Why is "Starting lithium" not the answer?

Lithium is not indicated for self-limiting postpartum blues.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Perinatal psychiatry in Psychiatry. Symptoms that persist beyond this period, or that include psychosis or functional impairment, should prompt assessment for postpartum depression or psychosis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Perinatal psychiatry?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.