UPRVUNL - 2021
Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)
Easy

What is the use of administration of the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) to a five-month-old infant?

Appeared in: UPRVUNL - 2021

Explanation

  • The Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) is a tool to screen for developmental problems in children from birth to 6 years of age.
  • It assesses four key areas: Personal-Social, Fine Motor-Adaptive, Language, and Gross Motor skills.
  • The phrase 'social and physical activities' is the best summary of the Personal-Social and the Gross/Fine Motor domains, which are core components of the test.
  • It is designed to identify children who may need further, more detailed evaluation, not to provide a diagnosis or measure intelligence.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: The DDST is a developmental screening tool and does not assess for genetic predispositions or allergic conditions. These require specific genetic testing and allergy assessments.
  • Option C: The DDST is not an intelligence (IQ) test. It only screens for potential developmental delays, which is different from cognitive potential.
  • Option D: While emotional aspects are part of the 'Personal-Social' domain, the DDST is not solely focused on emotional development. This option is too narrow and ignores the motor and language domains.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Purpose and domains of the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Nurses frequently perform developmental screenings like the DDST during well-child visits to identify delays early, allowing for timely intervention.
  • Early identification of delays is critical because interventions are most effective during the first few years of life when brain development is most rapid.
  • A key nursing role is educating parents about the results, explaining that it is a screening tool, not a diagnosis, and making appropriate referrals if a potential delay is found.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the core subject of the question: the 'Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST)'.
  • Recall the primary purpose of the DDST. It is a screening tool for developmental milestones, not a diagnostic test, an IQ test, or a genetic test.
  • Analyze the four domains assessed by the DDST: Personal-Social, Fine Motor-Adaptive, Language, and Gross Motor.
  • Evaluate each option against these domains. 'Social and physical activities' directly corresponds to the Personal-Social and Motor domains.
  • Eliminate options that are clearly outside the scope of a developmental screening tool, such as assessing genetic illness or IQ.
  • Choose the option that provides the broadest and most accurate description of the test's purpose.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Purpose and domains of the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST)
  • Stem keywords: Denver Developmental Screening Test, DDST, five-month-old infant, use
  • Lead-in keywords: What is the use
  • Clinical cues: Age: five-month-old infant (indicates early developmental screening)

Question ID

QoIodglw69Nunqv2_EnQmH

Reference Book

E6 Pathology-Vandana Puri & Kavita Gaur Textbook of Pathology and Genetics p. 549-551

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 35-37

Practise the full UPRVUNL - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.