Asperger's syndrome is a type of?

AIIMS Bhuvneshwar NO- 2018

Mental Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Bhuvneshwar NO- 2018

Explanation

With the release of the DSM-5 in 2013, Asperger's syndrome was integrated into the broader diagnostic category of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
ASD is characterized by two core features: persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior or interests.
Individuals who would have previously been diagnosed with Asperger's are now diagnosed with ASD, often specified as 'Level 1' severity (requiring support) and without accompanying intellectual or language impairment.

Option A: This is a mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest. Its core symptoms are different from the social and behavioral patterns of ASD.
Option B: This is a psychotic disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thought. It is a distinct diagnosis from the neurodevelopmental patterns of ASD.
Option D: This involves excessive fear, worry, and autonomic arousal. While anxiety is a very common co-occurring condition in ASD, it is not the primary diagnosis.

Visual 1: Infographic: A visual showing Autism Spectrum Disorder as an umbrella term, with conditions like Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, and PDD-NOS from the previous DSM-IV now falling under the single ASD diagnosis.
Visual 2: Chart: A comparison table outlining the core symptoms of ASD, Depression, Schizophrenia, and Anxiety to highlight their key differences.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Classification of Asperger's syndrome within neurodevelopmental disorders helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must use precise, updated terminology (ASD) for accurate communication, documentation, and care planning, avoiding outdated terms like Asperger's in formal contexts.
Recognizing that anxiety and depression are common comorbidities in ASD is crucial for holistic nursing assessment and intervention to address all of the patient's needs.
Nursing care for patients with ASD should focus on providing structure, using clear and concrete communication, respecting routines, and managing sensory sensitivities.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question about psychiatric classification.
First, identify the key term in the question: 'Asperger's syndrome'.
Recall or deduce its current diagnostic category based on major classification systems like the DSM-5.
Evaluate the options. 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' is the current umbrella term that includes the former diagnosis of Asperger's.
Eliminate the other options by recognizing they are distinct categories of mental health disorders (mood, psychotic, anxiety) with different primary symptoms.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Classification of Asperger's syndrome within neurodevelopmental disorders.
Stem keywords: Asperger's syndrome
Lead-in keywords: is a type of
Negative lead-in flag: false

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