What is a recommended action if someone scores greater than 14 on the PDSS?

What is a recommended action if someone scores greater than 14 on the PDSS?

• A. Ignore the results
• B. Use the short form only
• C. Proceed to the long form of the assessment
• D. Refer them for immediate hospitalization

Answer: (C)

When a person scores greater than 14 on the Perinatal Depression Screening Scale (PDSS), it indicates a potential risk for perinatal depression that could necessitate further evaluation. The recommended action in this scenario is to proceed to the long form of the assessment. The long form provides a more comprehensive and detailed evaluation, which helps in understanding the severity and specificity of the individual's symptoms. This additional information can guide appropriate interventions and support tailored to the individual's needs. Using the long form allows practitioners to gather more data which can be crucial in forming a treatment plan. It ensures that the clinician does not miss any critical aspects of the individual's mental health status and can make informed decisions about further interventions, such as therapy or other support services. In contrast, ignoring the results or only using the short form would not adequately address a high score's implications and could lead to a lack of necessary support for the individual experiencing significant distress. Likewise, while referring for immediate hospitalization may be necessary in some acute cases, it is not a standard response unless there are clear indications of immediate danger or severe impairment in function. Therefore, assessing the situation further through the long form is the appropriate next step after a score exceeds 14.

When a person scores greater than 14 on the Perinatal Depression Screening Scale (PDSS), it indicates a potential risk for perinatal depression that could necessitate further evaluation. The recommended action in this scenario is to proceed to the long form of the assessment. The long form provides a more comprehensive and detailed evaluation, which helps in understanding the severity and specificity of the individual's symptoms. This additional information can guide appropriate interventions and support tailored to the individual's needs.

Using the long form allows practitioners to gather more data which can be crucial in forming a treatment plan. It ensures that the clinician does not miss any critical aspects of the individual's mental health status and can make informed decisions about further interventions, such as therapy or other support services.

In contrast, ignoring the results or only using the short form would not adequately address a high score's implications and could lead to a lack of necessary support for the individual experiencing significant distress. Likewise, while referring for immediate hospitalization may be necessary in some acute cases, it is not a standard response unless there are clear indications of immediate danger or severe impairment in function. Therefore, assessing the situation further through the long form is the appropriate next step after a score exceeds 14.