Which statement correctly lists the axes of the DSM-IV as I, II, III, and IV?

Which statement correctly lists the axes of the DSM-IV as I, II, III, and IV?

• A. I- All Psychological Categories Except Retardation; II- Personality Disorder and Retardation; III- General and Acute Medical Conditions; IV- Psychosocial and Environmental Factors
• B. I- Clinical Disorders; II- Mental Retardation; III- General Medical Conditions; IV- Psychosocial Factors
• C. I- Clinical Disorders; II- Personality Disorders; III- General Medical Conditions; IV- Environmental Problems
• D. I- All Psychological Disorders; II- Personality Disorders; III- General and Acute Medical Conditions; IV- Psychosocial Factors

Answer: (A)

The fundamental idea being tested is the four-axis structure of the DSM-IV, which organizes information about a patient into separate domains: clinical disorders, personality disorders and mental retardation, medical conditions, and psychosocial/environmental problems. The statement that aligns with this framework identifies axis I as clinical disorders, axis II as personality disorders and mental retardation, axis III as general medical conditions, and axis IV as psychosocial and environmental factors. This mirrors how DSM-IV grouped problems to guide assessment and treatment planning. The other options mix up what belongs on each axis or use imprecise language (for example, describing axis I as “all psychological disorders” rather than clinical disorders, or omitting mental retardation from axis II, or extending axis III to include terms like “acute” medical conditions”). Remember that DSM-IV also included a fifth axis for global functioning (axis V), but the question focuses on axes I through IV, which are represented correctly in this statement.

The fundamental idea being tested is the four-axis structure of the DSM-IV, which organizes information about a patient into separate domains: clinical disorders, personality disorders and mental retardation, medical conditions, and psychosocial/environmental problems. The statement that aligns with this framework identifies axis I as clinical disorders, axis II as personality disorders and mental retardation, axis III as general medical conditions, and axis IV as psychosocial and environmental factors. This mirrors how DSM-IV grouped problems to guide assessment and treatment planning.

The other options mix up what belongs on each axis or use imprecise language (for example, describing axis I as “all psychological disorders” rather than clinical disorders, or omitting mental retardation from axis II, or extending axis III to include terms like “acute” medical conditions”). Remember that DSM-IV also included a fifth axis for global functioning (axis V), but the question focuses on axes I through IV, which are represented correctly in this statement.