Which of the following is NOT considered as a diagnostic criterion for mental retardation?

NCL (Northern Coalfields Limited)-NO

Mental Health Nursing (E5)

Easy

Appeared in: NCL (Northern Coalfields Limited)-NO

Explanation

'Presence of delusions' because delusions are a hallmark symptom of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, not intellectual disability.
Delusions are defined as fixed, false beliefs that are resistant to change, even when presented with conflicting evidence.
The diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability focus on cognitive and adaptive functioning deficits with an onset in the developmental period.

Option A: This is a core diagnostic criterion. The intellectual and adaptive deficits must have their onset during the developmental period (childhood or adolescence) to be classified as intellectual disability.
Option B: This is a key indicator for one of the core criteria. An IQ score of approximately 70 or below (about 2 standard deviations below the mean) on a standardized intelligence test is a primary indicator of deficits in intellectual functioning.
Option D: This is a core diagnostic criterion. A person must show significant limitations in adaptive behavior (skills needed for daily life) to be diagnosed with intellectual disability. IQ score alone is not sufficient.

Visual 1: Table: A summary of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Intellectual Disability, highlighting the three main pillars: Intellectual Deficits, Adaptive Functioning Deficits, and Onset during the Developmental Period.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Diagnostic criteria for Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate diagnosis is crucial. A person with intellectual disability can also have a co-occurring mental health condition like schizophrenia (a 'dual diagnosis'). It's important for nurses not to misattribute psychotic symptoms like delusions to the intellectual disability itself.
Understanding the correct criteria ensures that individuals receive the appropriate support and services tailored to their specific needs, rather than being misdiagnosed.
What if a patient with a known diagnosis of intellectual disability starts reporting that they are being spied on by aliens? The nurse should not dismiss this as part of their disability but should recognize it as a potential new symptom of a co-occurring psychotic disorder and report it for further psychiatric evaluation.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'diagnostic criterion for mental retardation' (intellectual disability).
Note the negative keyword 'NOT'. This means you are looking for the option that does not belong.
Recall or look up the three main criteria for diagnosing intellectual disability: 1) low IQ, 2) poor adaptive skills, and 3) onset in childhood.
Evaluate each option against these criteria.
Option A ('Onset during developmental period'), B ('IQ below 70'), and D ('Deficits in adaptive functioning') all match the known criteria.
Option C ('Presence of delusions') describes a symptom of psychosis, which is a different category of mental disorder. This is the outlier and therefore the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Diagnostic criteria for Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation)
Stem keywords: diagnostic criterion, mental retardation
Lead-in keywords: NOT
Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the option that is NOT a diagnostic criterion.

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