CDDN Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse Exam
2025| Actual Exam Questions and Correct Answers for
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Which are the three perspectives used in Chapter 1 to describe intellectual and developmental
disabilities?
A. Biomedical, Legal, Social
B. Definitional, Public, Critical
C. Personal, Sociocultural, Literal
D. Deficit-based, Functioning-based, Rights-based
Correct Answer: B. Definitional, Public, Critical
Explanation: Chapter 1 frames intellectual and developmental disabilities through three
perspectives: Definitional (professional/functional), Public (societal perceptions), and Critical
(value-based, rights-oriented critique).
Which of the 3 perspectives fits the following criteria: value-based and claims disability to be a
valid and necessary part of the human order; is influenced by the philosophy of equal human
rights for people with disabilities and reflects the influence of critical race, feminism, and gender
identity?
A. Definitional
B. Public
C. Critical
D. Biomedical
Correct Answer: C. Critical
Explanation: The Critical perspective views disability as a valued aspect of human diversity and
draws from social justice movements (feminism, critical race theory, etc.) to advocate for equal
rights.
This meaning relates to the need for disability professionals to define terms for specific purposes,
such as access to educational and social service programs.
A. Personal Meaning
,B. Public Meaning
C. Definitional Meaning
D. Critical Meaning
Correct Answer: C. Definitional Meaning
Explanation: Definitional meaning focuses on operational definitions required for eligibility,
funding, and service provision.
From this perspective, a disability is an aspect of a person's life.
A. Definitional Meaning
B. Public Meaning
C. Critical Meaning
D. Personal Meaning
Correct Answer: D. Personal Meaning
Explanation: Personal meaning emphasizes disability as an individual lived experience rather
than a categorical label.
This meaning is a confluence of the literal and sociocultural meaning of the terms "intellectual
disability" and "developmental disability".
A. Definitional Meaning
B. Personal Meaning
C. Critical Meaning
D. Public Meaning
Correct Answer: D. Public Meaning
Explanation: Public meaning reflects societal and cultural interpretations and connotations of
the terms.
According to the APA DSM-5 definition, what are the three adaptive function domains impacted
by an intellectual disability?
A. Communication, Motor, Social
B. Conceptual, Social, Practical
,C. Academic, Behavioral, Emotional
D. Cognitive, Physical, Sensory
Correct Answer: B. Conceptual, Social, Practical
Explanation: DSM-5 specifies deficits in conceptual (reasoning, knowledge), social
(interpersonal skills, responsibility), and practical (daily living skills) domains.
Which website provides a space for people with disabilities to inform others?
A. People First
B. Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered
C. The Arc
D. AAIDD
Correct Answer: A. People First
Explanation: People First organizations and websites prioritize self-advocacy and platforms for
individuals with disabilities to share their own voices.
True or False: One argument for the use of disability terms is to help identify, and thus to assist,
people who have extraordinary support needs.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Explanation: Diagnostic labels enable access to specialized supports, services, and legal
protections for those with significant needs.
True or False: In the early 2000s, the World Health Organization changed their definition from a
functioning framework to a deficit framework.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Explanation: The WHO shifted from the deficit-focused ICIDH (1980) to the biopsychosocial
and functioning-based ICF (2001).
, Within the social model perspective, disability arises from discrimination and ________.
A. Impairment
B. Disadvantage
C. Deficit
D. Handicap
Correct Answer: B. Disadvantage
Explanation: The social model distinguishes impairment (bodily difference) from disability,
which results from societal barriers and disadvantage.
True or False: The focus of parens patriae imposed an obligation to the state to provide for those
deemed incompetent to manage their financial and institutional affairs.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Explanation: Parens patriae refers to the state's role as "parent of the nation" to protect
vulnerable individuals, not specifically financial/institutional management (that aligns more with
guardianship).
The first intelligence test was developed by _____.
A. Wechsler and Terman
B. Simon and Binet
C. Goddard and Yerkes
D. Stanford and Binet
Correct Answer: B. Simon and Binet
Explanation: Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon developed the first practical intelligence test in
1905 for identifying French schoolchildren needing extra help.
The biomedical view helps us understand ________.
A. Societal attitudes
2025| Actual Exam Questions and Correct Answers for
Guaranteed Pass
Which are the three perspectives used in Chapter 1 to describe intellectual and developmental
disabilities?
A. Biomedical, Legal, Social
B. Definitional, Public, Critical
C. Personal, Sociocultural, Literal
D. Deficit-based, Functioning-based, Rights-based
Correct Answer: B. Definitional, Public, Critical
Explanation: Chapter 1 frames intellectual and developmental disabilities through three
perspectives: Definitional (professional/functional), Public (societal perceptions), and Critical
(value-based, rights-oriented critique).
Which of the 3 perspectives fits the following criteria: value-based and claims disability to be a
valid and necessary part of the human order; is influenced by the philosophy of equal human
rights for people with disabilities and reflects the influence of critical race, feminism, and gender
identity?
A. Definitional
B. Public
C. Critical
D. Biomedical
Correct Answer: C. Critical
Explanation: The Critical perspective views disability as a valued aspect of human diversity and
draws from social justice movements (feminism, critical race theory, etc.) to advocate for equal
rights.
This meaning relates to the need for disability professionals to define terms for specific purposes,
such as access to educational and social service programs.
A. Personal Meaning
,B. Public Meaning
C. Definitional Meaning
D. Critical Meaning
Correct Answer: C. Definitional Meaning
Explanation: Definitional meaning focuses on operational definitions required for eligibility,
funding, and service provision.
From this perspective, a disability is an aspect of a person's life.
A. Definitional Meaning
B. Public Meaning
C. Critical Meaning
D. Personal Meaning
Correct Answer: D. Personal Meaning
Explanation: Personal meaning emphasizes disability as an individual lived experience rather
than a categorical label.
This meaning is a confluence of the literal and sociocultural meaning of the terms "intellectual
disability" and "developmental disability".
A. Definitional Meaning
B. Personal Meaning
C. Critical Meaning
D. Public Meaning
Correct Answer: D. Public Meaning
Explanation: Public meaning reflects societal and cultural interpretations and connotations of
the terms.
According to the APA DSM-5 definition, what are the three adaptive function domains impacted
by an intellectual disability?
A. Communication, Motor, Social
B. Conceptual, Social, Practical
,C. Academic, Behavioral, Emotional
D. Cognitive, Physical, Sensory
Correct Answer: B. Conceptual, Social, Practical
Explanation: DSM-5 specifies deficits in conceptual (reasoning, knowledge), social
(interpersonal skills, responsibility), and practical (daily living skills) domains.
Which website provides a space for people with disabilities to inform others?
A. People First
B. Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered
C. The Arc
D. AAIDD
Correct Answer: A. People First
Explanation: People First organizations and websites prioritize self-advocacy and platforms for
individuals with disabilities to share their own voices.
True or False: One argument for the use of disability terms is to help identify, and thus to assist,
people who have extraordinary support needs.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Explanation: Diagnostic labels enable access to specialized supports, services, and legal
protections for those with significant needs.
True or False: In the early 2000s, the World Health Organization changed their definition from a
functioning framework to a deficit framework.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Explanation: The WHO shifted from the deficit-focused ICIDH (1980) to the biopsychosocial
and functioning-based ICF (2001).
, Within the social model perspective, disability arises from discrimination and ________.
A. Impairment
B. Disadvantage
C. Deficit
D. Handicap
Correct Answer: B. Disadvantage
Explanation: The social model distinguishes impairment (bodily difference) from disability,
which results from societal barriers and disadvantage.
True or False: The focus of parens patriae imposed an obligation to the state to provide for those
deemed incompetent to manage their financial and institutional affairs.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Explanation: Parens patriae refers to the state's role as "parent of the nation" to protect
vulnerable individuals, not specifically financial/institutional management (that aligns more with
guardianship).
The first intelligence test was developed by _____.
A. Wechsler and Terman
B. Simon and Binet
C. Goddard and Yerkes
D. Stanford and Binet
Correct Answer: B. Simon and Binet
Explanation: Alfred Binet and Théodore Simon developed the first practical intelligence test in
1905 for identifying French schoolchildren needing extra help.
The biomedical view helps us understand ________.
A. Societal attitudes
