CGHS SSC - 2018
Mental Health Nursing
Easy
Asperger's syndrome is a type of?
Appeared in: CGHS SSC - 2018
Explanation
- Asperger's syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder now classified under the umbrella term Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the DSM-5.
- This reclassification occurred because Asperger's shares core symptoms with other autistic disorders, primarily persistent deficits in social communication and the presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors.
- The term ASD reflects the wide range of symptoms and severity levels, and it consolidated previously separate diagnoses like autistic disorder and PDD-NOS.
- Individuals who previously had a 'well-established' diagnosis of Asperger's syndrome are now considered to have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thought, which are not the defining features of Asperger's syndrome.
- Option B: This is a mood disorder defined by persistent sadness and loss of pleasure (anhedonia). While individuals with ASD can experience depression, it is a separate, co-occurring condition, not the primary diagnosis.
- Option C: Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear, worry, and panic. Although anxiety is very common in individuals with ASD, it is considered a comorbidity, not the underlying disorder itself.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: Knowing Diagnostic classification of Asperger's syndrome helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
- Nurses must recognize that Asperger's is part of ASD to implement appropriate care plans, focusing on communication, sensory needs, and behavioral support.
- Understanding the diagnosis helps in patient and family education, clarifying that social difficulties are a core feature of the disorder, not a sign of willful non-compliance.
- It is crucial to assess for common co-occurring conditions in patients with ASD, such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD, as these require their own management strategies.
How to Approach the Question
- Identify the key term in the question: 'Asperger's syndrome'.
- The question asks for its classification ('is a type of?'). This is a factual recall question based on current psychiatric diagnostic standards.
- Recall or deduce the diagnostic system used in psychiatry, which is the DSM-5.
- Consider the major categories of mental health disorders presented in the options: psychotic (Schizophrenia), mood (Depressive disorder), anxiety, and neurodevelopmental (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
- Remember that the DSM-5 significantly revised the classification of pervasive developmental disorders, grouping them together.
- Conclude that Asperger's syndrome, previously a separate diagnosis, is now included under the broader category of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Diagnostic classification of Asperger's syndrome.
- Stem keywords: Asperger's syndrome, type
- Lead-in keywords: is a type of
Question ID
QnULSvNB7F5tos4om1y8Hg
Reference Book
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 12035-12037
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 393-395
E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 422-424
Practise the full CGHS SSC - 2018
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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