Bma Illustrated Medical Dictionary

ideas and symbols); practical (aptitude

in dealing with practical problems such

as repairing machinery); and social (cop-

ing reasonably and wisely with human

relationships). Intelligence increases up

to the age of about 6 years and then

stabilizes. Intelligence quotient (IQ), as

measured by intelligence tests, continues

to increase to about the age of 26, stays

the same until about the age of 40, and

then gradually declines. Intelligence is

partly inherited, although environment

also plays a major part, as does physi-

cal health and personality.

Extremes of intelligence occur in learn-

ing difficulties (defined by a low IQ) and in

the gifted (defined by scores over 140).

intelligence testsTests designed to pro-

vide an estimate of a person’s mental

abilities. The most widely used are Wech-

sler tests of which there are 2 basic

types: the Wechsler Adult Intelligence

Scale (WAIS) and the Wechsler Intelli-

gence Scale for Children (WISC). Each

is divided into verbal (concerned with

language skills) and performance

sections, including measures of con-

structional ability andvisual-spatial and

perceptual ability (interpretation of

shapes). Other tests include the Stan-

ford–Binettest, which is used mainly as a

measure of scholastic ability.

In most intelligence tests, scoring is

based on mental age (MA) in relation to

chronological age (CA). The intelligence

quotient (IQ) is MA divided by CA, multi-

plied by 100. The tests are devised to

ensure that 3 in 4 people have an IQ bet-

ween 80 and 120. They are standardized

so that the score indicates the same rel-

ative ability at different age levels.

Intelligence tests may be used to assess

school or job aptitude. However, they

have been criticized for their alleged

bias regarding gender and race.

intensive careConstant close moni-

toring and treatment of seriously ill

patients that enables treatment to be

tailored to the patient’s condition on an

hour-by-hour basis. Intensive care units

INTELLIGENCE TESTS INTENSIVE CARE

I

Intravenous

fluids

ECG electrodes

detect electrical

activity of heart

Monitor displays

blood pressure

and heart rate

measurements

Drug

therapy

Ventilator

Ventilator

tubing

Pulse

oximeter to

measure

blood oxygen

levels

Adjustable

height bed

Nurse

Nutrients

INTENSIVE CARE

Suction

equipment to

clear airways

Oxygen

supply