A nursing instructor is describing the DSM-IV-TR to a group of nursing students. Which of the following would the instructor include as the primary purpose of this classification?
- A. Provide a commonly understood diagnostic category for clinical practice.
- B. Describe treatment modalities for psychiatric disorders and mental illnesses.
- C. Identify various etiologies for mental disorders based on family histories.
- D. Provide optimal outcomes for treatment for individuals with mental illnesses.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The primary purpose of the DSM-IV-TR is to provide a standardized, commonly understood diagnostic framework for mental disorders to ensure consistency in clinical practice, research, and communication among healthcare professionals.
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A group of students are reviewing the multiaxial diagnostic system of the DSM-IV-TR. The students demonstrate understanding of the axes when they identify that each axis represents which of the following?
- A. An evidence-based research finding
- B. An experimental design to guide care
- C. A domain of information
- D. A laboratory test finding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each axis in the DSM-IV-TR represents a distinct domain of information (e.g., clinical disorders, personality disorders, medical conditions, psychosocial stressors, and functioning) to provide a comprehensive diagnostic picture.
A 25-year-old woman who recently had abdominal surgery was admitted to the psychiatric unit, where it was determined that she had a borderline personality disorder. During the first week on the unit, it was determined that she also has diabetes. Her diabetes mellitus would be listed in which axis of her DSM-IV-TR diagnosis?
- A. Axis I
- B. Axis II
- C. Axis III
- D. Axis IV
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus, a general medical condition, is documented on Axis III in the DSM-IV-TR, which captures physical health conditions that may impact the patient?s mental health.
Which of the following would a nurse identify as being categorized as Axis I in the DSM-IV-TR?
- A. Paranoid personality disorder
- B. Posttraumatic stress disorder
- C. Anorexia nervosa
- D. Mental retardation
- E. Unemployment
- F. Coronary artery disease
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Axis I in the DSM-IV-TR includes clinical disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder and anorexia nervosa. Paranoid personality disorder and mental retardation are Axis II, unemployment is Axis IV, and coronary artery disease is Axis III.
A nurse is providing care to a patient with a mental disorder classified by the DSM-IV-TR. The nurse understands that although the first three axes appear to contain all the diagnostic information about a patient, a truly accurate picture of the client is incomplete without considering other factors such as an estimate of current functioning and:
- A. Life stressors
- B. Cultural background
- C. Marital status
- D. Genetic history
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The DSM-IV-TR includes five axes, with Axis IV capturing psychosocial and environmental problems (e.g., life stressors) that contribute to the patient?s condition, complementing the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) on Axis V for a complete picture.
A nursing student is reviewing journal articles about major depression. One of the articles describes the number of persons newly diagnosed with the disorder during the past year. The student interprets this as which of the following?
- A. Rate
- B. Prevalence
- C. Point prevalence
- D. Incidence
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disorder (e.g., major depression) diagnosed within a specific time period, such as the past year.
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