Question

A nurse explains multiaxial diagnoses to a psychiatric technician. Which information is accurate?

1) It is a template for treatment planning.
2) Nursing and medical diagnoses are included.
3) Assessments of several aspects of functioning are included.
4) d. It incorporates the framework of a specific biopsychosocial theory.

Answer 1

The most accurate information about multiaxial diagnoses is that it involves assessments of several aspects of functioning, based on a comprehensive assessment system used in earlier DSM editions.

Step-by-step explanation:

When discussing multiaxial diagnoses, it’s essential to understand that this approach is used within the psychiatric field to evaluate multiple domains of an individual's functioning. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, incorporated a multiaxial system in its earlier editions (though it was removed in DSM-5).

A multiaxial diagnosis included:

1. A clinical assessment of symptom disorders
2. Personality disorders and intellectual disabilities
3. General medical conditions
4. Psychosocial and environmental problems
5. Global assessment of functioning

This system allowed for a comprehensive assessment of a patient by considering various factors that could influence their mental health. The most accurate information regarding multiaxial diagnoses in the provided options is that it involves assessments of several aspects of functioning. While it helps in treatment planning, it is not itself a template, and the inclusion of nursing diagnoses is not typically characteristic of the multiaxial approach. Also, while the multiaxial system takes into account various factors, it is not tied to any specific biopsychosocial theory.