Sample Answer for NRNP 6665 Week 8 Assignment Study Guide Forum

Sample Answer for NRNP 6665 Week 8 Assignment Study Guide Forum

What is Intellectual disability?  Intellectual disability (ID) is a term used to define sub-average intelligence and impaired adaptive functioning occurring in the developmental period, below 18 years.

Signs and symptoms according to the DSM-5

The DSM-V diagnostic criterion for ID is:

1. Onset during developmental period (Kadiyala, 2020).
2. Deficits in intellectual functions.

• Deficits in adaptive functioning (Kadiyala, 2020).

What are the differential diagnoses of Intellectual Disability?

What is the incidence of Intellectual Disability?

• ID has an overall general population incidence of about 1%.
• The prevalence rate varies by age. Incidence for severe intellectual disability is about 6 per 1,000 (Patel et al., 2020).

Development and course:

• ID begins during the developmental period from conception through age 18 years.
• It can be genetic or due to a disorder that interferes with brain development (Patel et al., 2020).
• Most individuals do not develop obvious symptoms until preschool.

How is the prognosis of Intellectual Disability?

• Mild ID- Relatively normal life expectancy.
• Most persons with ID can support themselves, live independently, and be successfully employed with appropriate support.
• Life expectancy may be shortened, depending on the specific comorbidity (Patel et al., 2020).

What are the considerations related to culture, gender, or age for ID?

Assessment and treatment interventions should be appropriate for the patient’s age and gender.

Clinicians should assess and understand the patient’s culture to provide culturally competent care (Hamers et al., 2018).

Which are the pharmacological treatments for Intellectual Disability?

• No specific pharmacologic treatment is available for cognitive impairment in a child/adult with ID (Hamers et al., 2018).
• Medications given target particular comorbid psychiatric condition or behavioral disturbances.

Which non-pharmacological treatments are used in ID?

There are no specific non-pharmacological treatments for ID. Various types of non-pharmacological interventions have been studied including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy, social problem-solving skills, exercise intervention, and bright light therapy (Hamers et al., 2018).

Which diagnostics and lab studies are used in diagnosing ID?

Diagnosis of ID includes: Prenatal screening, Developmental screening, Formal intellectual and skills testing, Imaging tests, Genetic and other laboratory tests (Patel et al., 2020).

Which comorbidities co-exist with ID?

Comorbidities of ID include anxiety disorders, depression, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and other emotional and behavioral disorders (Keyes, 2019).

What are the legal and ethical considerations when treating a patient with ID?

Legal principles that should be considered when assessing and treating patients with ID include Autonomy, Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, and Confidentiality of patient information (Roll, 2018).

What are the pertinent patient education considerations in ID?

Patient education for ID patients should focus on supporting a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and a healthy diet (Roll, 2018). Pain occurs often in these patients and they should be educated on non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches they can take to relieve pain. Besides, patient should be educated on the available community support services where they can access educational support, vocational training, social support, rehabilitation services, financial, and legal help (Roll, 2018).

References

Hamers, P. C. M., Festen, D. A. M., & Hermans, H. (2018). Non‐pharmacological interventions for adults with intellectual disabilities and depression: a systematic review. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 62(8), 684-700. https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12502

Kadiyala, P. K. (2020). Mnemonics for diagnostic criteria of DSM V mental disorders: a scoping review. General psychiatry, 33(3), e100109. https://doi.org/10.1136/gpsych-2019-100109