Iowa Approach

Question 1

In the Iowa approach, the emphasis is on

Answer 1

flexibility and focus

Question 2

The Iowa approach is modeled after

Answer 2

neurological and psychiatric exams

Question 3

Is there a predetermined battery?

Answer 3

No

Question 4

The initial tests results serve as a

Answer 4

basis for developing hypotheses which are evaluated with subsequent testing until the hypothesis is supported or disconfirmed

Question 5

Nature of referral questions also guides

Answer 5

the decisions about how much and what type of testing to do

Question 6

Important factors

Answer 6

Time efficiency, breadth and depth, answer referral question

Question 7

Core battery assessing major cognitive domains:

Answer 7

“intellectual functioning”
memory
speech and language
visual perception
executive functions
attention and orientation

Question 8

IS the core battery often sufficient?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

Is the core battery ever abbreviated with the Iowa approach?

Answer 9

yes, and sometimes supplemental tests are added

Question 10

What tests are excluded, and why?

Answer 10

Motor and sensory functioning - feel higher cognitive tests provide better information about laterality

Question 11

Test limits and

Answer 11

qualitative obs

Question 12

Interpretation

Answer 12

Make extensive use of all available medical information including neuroimaging; emphasize importance of obtaining premorbid, psychosocial etc. info.

Question 13

Plus

Answer 13

accurate identification of brain lesions
flexibility allows for efficient evaluations
reasonable regional norms

Question 14

Minuses

Answer 14

Minuses
norms have limited applicability outside rural Iowa
flexibility runs risk of idiosyncratic evaluations
same potential for bias misjudgment as Process Approach