Final answer:
A nurse suspecting a diagnosis for Sam, who shows impaired social, intellectual, and practical daily functions, may consider Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD involves difficulties with social interactions and communication, which matches Sam's symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Sam, a 9-year-old patient, has deficits in social functioning, intellectual functioning, and cannot manage the practical aspects of daily life, the nurse suspect may consider the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication abilities, alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests. Common signs pointing to ASD in a child include difficulties in maintaining eye contact, reading social cues, and feeling empathy, as well as engagement in repetitive motor behaviors.
In contrast, symptoms of ADHD, which could also present with social and attention deficits, are primarily those of inattention, impulsivity, and possibly hyperactivity, without the impairment in social communication that defines ASD. Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD) primarily affects intellectual and adaptive functioning, and Specific Learning Disorder is categorized as difficulty with specific academic skills, rather than broad social and practical skills.