<p>Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is gaining the attention of public health, educators, and health care providers. This column reviews the deficits, prevalence, symptoms, and environmental factors.</p>
BACKGROUND:
Because of the increasing demands in the mental health care environment, providers are called upon to demonstrate the efficacy of treatment. Few studies have examined the relationship between symptoms at admission and level of functioning, involvement in treatment, and rehospitalization rates.
OBJECTIVES:
The purposes of this study were to: (a) examine the relationship between symptoms at admission, level of functioning, and exposure to activities for inpatients with depression and anxiety disorders; and (b) examine the association between inpatient exposure to activities and rehospitalization rates.
DESIGN:
This study was a secondary analysis of a nonprobability convenience sampling of 67 patients, ages 18 to 80 years, who were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. The Global Assessment Scale and Beck Depression Inventory were used to assess functioning and symptoms. The Nursing Record of Patient Daily Activities was used to record patient activities.
RESULTS:
Global Assessment Scores at time of admission were positively related to independent patient activities. Readmitted patients were more likely to have a diagnosis of depression and be taking anxiolytics at the time of admission.
CONCLUSIONS:
More studies are needed to examine the relationship between admission and posthospitalization symptoms, level of functioning in patients, and treatment components to ascertain which aspects of treatment are most effective for patients with specific symptoms, levels of functioning, and diagnoses. Patients’ symptoms and level of functioning at the time of admission should help guide the development of appropriate treatment plans.
<p>Due to the increasing prevalence of autism, nurses need to become more informed about the disease. This column reviews the genetics, diagnosis, and treatment of autism.</p>
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.