INTRODUCTION :

Nursing profession requires evaluation at different points of time. Nursing teachers have to
evaluate the knowledge and skills of their students while nurse administrators, nursing staff
and public health nurses have to evaluate various parameters of the staff working under them
as well as of their patients and of general public. This scenario brings forth the need of such
evaluation tools which can measure the performance and other aspects of each and every
person with accuracy and without any biasness. This signifies the need and importance of
standardized tools, these below mentioned tests are some of standardized tools.

DEFINITION:
Physical and mental ability: it is the quality of being able to perform physical and mental
acts.

-dictionary

Physical and mental disability: the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence
of physical or mental unfitness.

-dictionary

Mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities,
can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a
contribution to his or her community.

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Mental abilities generally known as higher mental function like intelligence, orientation,
memory, attention, concentration, abstract thinking, judgment and insight. A mental disability
deals with lack of mental abilities to wards growth and development (mental retardation)
capacity to adopt the environment and lack of social adjustment.

Mental ability test

1. Mental status examination: It is a process test to identify current mental status of the
person. It consist of GAB (General aptitude of behaviour)
  General appearance and behaviour
 Speech
 Mood and affect
 Thought
 Perception
 Higher MFT (Neurological test)
 Judgment
 Insight

Purpose
1. To identify current status for mental activity

2. To get adequate information about higher mental function

3. To diagnosis

4. To provide adequate nursing and professional care

MENTAL DISABILITY
Mental disability is described by Mr. William K Frankenburg in Denver, Colorado. These
tests popularly known as DDST (Denver Development Screening Test). This test creates for
screening cognitive and behaviour problem in preschool children. It is important cognitive
test.

Denver Development Screening Test (DDST)

Commonly known as the Denver Scale, is a test for screening cognitive and behavioral
problems in preschool children. It was developed by William K. Frankenburg and first
introduced by him and Josiah.B. Dobbs in 1967.

The DENVER II (1992) is a revision and update of the Denver Developmental Screening
Test, DDST (1967).

Purpose of DDST

 To identify the development delay in pre-schooler (age group between 3 to 6 years)

 To assist neurological function and to detect neurological problem like cerebral palsy.
 To detect the problem in early infancy like growth and development.
 Test can useful in late childhood (6 to 12 years) academic and social problems
(relationship).

This test DDST consist of 125 item includes 4 points

a) Social and personal item

b) Fine motor function

c) Language
d) Gross motor function

Social and personal item

These aspects deal with socialization in an around society activity and home.
Fine motor function
It deals with eye and hard coordination and manipulation of small objects.
Language
Protection of speech ability to recognize understand use of language.

Gross motor function

Motor control, setting, walking, jumping and other movement.

Inferences:
From this test can identify the individual having normal growth and development. If it
is less score in test it shows that lack of growth and development. It is known as
mentally retardation. These test items consist of the following equipment. (Personal
and social, fine motor, language, gross motor function)
1. Bell
2. Tennis ball
3. Glass bottle
4. Cup
5. Baby bottle
6. Interpretation care
Conclusion: DDST 2 revision created by Dobbs. It is a simplify to assist the
developmental test in physically and adaptation to the environment. This test similar
to the Minnesota personality test.

TEST FOR DISABILITIES

The eligibility of a child for special education and related services is considered upon
completion of the administration of tests and other evaluation materials.

In order for a child to be declared eligible for special education and related services it
must be determined that the child is a "child with a disability" and is in need of
special education and related services".

The parents of the child and a team of qualified professionals must determine whether
the child is a child with a disability and in need of special education and related
services.

TEST FOR PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Physical ability tests typically ask individuals to perform job-related tasks requiring
manual labour or physical skill. These tasks measure physical abilities such as
strength, muscular flexibility, and stamina.

Examples of physical ability tests include:

 Muscular Tension Tests - Tasks requiring pushing, pulling, lifting

 Muscular Power Tests - Tasks requiring the individual to overcome some

initial resistance (e.g., loosening a nut on a bolt)

 Muscular Endurance Tests - Tasks involving repetitions of tool use ( e .g.,

removing objects from belts)
  Cardiovascular Endurance Tests - Tasks assessing aerobic capacity ( e .g.,
climbing stairs)

 Flexibility Tests - Tasks where bending, twisting, stretching or reaching of a

body segment occurs (e.g., installing lighting fixtures)

 Balance Tests - Tasks in which stability of body position is difficult to

maintain (e.g., standing on rungs of a ladder)

Important information about the Physical Ability Test

 The PATS are designed to stimulate specific job duties.

 The tests are physically demanding and could cause injury to persons who are not
physically fit or have medical conditions which limit their physical ability.
 The tests are administered in a non-medical environment by non- medical staff.
Therefore, it is in your best interest to objectively evaluate your physical fitness status
and to prepare yourself prior to participating in the Physical Abilities Test.
 Before taking the PAT, you must undergo a risk assessment to ensure you are fit to
proceed. The risk assessment includes height and weight measurement, blood pressure
check, coronary risk assessment and an overall review of current health status. If you
pass the risk assessment, you will proceed with the PAT. Due to the nature of the PAT,
there is some risk of injury to individuals with existing medical conditions or those
who may be in marginal physical condition.
 The test itself consists of five physically demanding performance tests designed to
evaluate overall fitness to perform the specific functions of a Peace officer.

Various pieces of exercise equipment, candidates must demonstrate:

 Overall endurance
 Grip strength
 Trunk strength
 Dynamic arm power
 Dynamic leg power
Physical Abilities Test -

- Dynamic
Arm Test:

Purpose:
a) It is used to measure the anaerobic power of the arms in order to
determine the candidate's ability to carry a stretcher containing
a person weighing approximately 185 pounds 1\8 mile with the
assistance of one other person and an additional 1\8 mile with
the assistance of three other people.

b) You need adequate strength in your abdominal (flexor) and

lower back (extensor) muscles to pass these tests.

c) Using your arms, you must be able to pedal a stationary bicycle

45 revolutions in one minute with a very challenging amount of
resistance.
Leg Test:
Purpose:

a) It is used to measure the anaerobic power of the legs in order to predict the
candidate's ability to sprint 100 yards in 19 seconds or less.

b) You must pedal a stationary bicycle 70 revolutions in one minute with a very
challenging amount of resistance in order to pass this test.
Physical Exertion Demand on Legs (PEDOL)
Purpose:

I. It is used to determine the candidate's ability to complete a 500-yard run in

two minutes and twenty seconds.

II. This test is a measurement of an individual's cardiovascular fitness level

PHYSICAL ABILITIES TESTS:

 The PAT is designed to stimulate specific job duties.

 The tests are physically demanding & could cause injury who is not physically
fit.

 Before PAT one must undergo risk assessment.

GRIP STRENGTH TEST:

1. This purpose of this test is to measure the strength of the muscles in the
fingers, hand and forearm in order to determine the candidate's ability to pick
up and carry a stretcher containing a person weighing approximately 185
pounds, with the assistance of one other person.

2. It is performed using a hand dynamometer.

3. You must be able to squeeze 34kg with a hand testing device in order to pass
this test.
 4. It is essential that you strengthen your finger flexor and surrounding hand and
forearm muscles to be prepared for this test.

TRUNK STRENGTH TEST:

I. The purpose of this test is to measure abdominal and back strength in order to
determine the candidate's ability to drag an unconscious person weighing
approximately 165 pounds 20 feet in 20 seconds or less after running 500 yards.
II. To carry a stretcher containing a person weighing approximately 185 pounds 1/8 mile
with the assistance of three other people.
III. You need adequate strength in your abdominal (flexor) and lower back (extensor)
muscles to pass these tests.

THE VERTICAL JUMP:

i. This test is performed on a VY Test Mat.

ii. The candidate stands on the mat placing his/her feet on the foot imprints. The belt is
put around his/her waist.
iii. The tape is pulled through a clip in the belt until taut to adjust for height of the athlete.
iv. The measuring tape at the mat feeder is always set at 0 cm. The candidate bends
his/her knees and jumps straight upward.
v. The length of tape pulled through the feeder indicates the height of the jump.
vi. The candidate gets three tries at this event.
vii. The candidate must jump 16 inches to pass the event.

THE THREE HUNDRED METER SPRINT:

i. It is performed in running shoes and proper clothing.

ii. The candidate must complete the run without any help.
iii. On the command "GO", the clock will start.
iv. The marked distance is approximately 4 of a lap on a standard high school track.
v. The candidate must complete the run in 77 seconds to pass the event.
vi. After this exercise the candidate will be given a 14minute recovery period before
continuing on with the last portion of the test.
MILE AND ONE-HALF RUN:

a. It is performed in running shoes and proper clothing.

b. The candidate may complete this exercise by running or mixing a combination of
running with walking. Although walking is allowed.
c. Candidates must complete the run without any physical help.
d. On the command "GO", the clock will start. Candidates must complete the run in 15
minutes, 20 seconds to pass the event.

THE SIT AND REACH:

a. Is performed without shoes while sitting on the floor, knees extended (soft joint), and
feet placed squarely against box and no wider than eight inches part.
b. The toes are pointed toward the ceiling and one hand is placed on top of the other
with the fingertips even.
c. The candidates lean forward without lunging or bobbing and reaches as far down a
yardstick as he/she is able.
d. The neck remains in the neutral position, the hands stay together and even, and the
stretch must be held for two seconds.
e. Three trials are allowed.
f. The candidate must reach the required length of 16 inches to pass this event.

ADVANTAGES OF PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST( PAT):

 Physical abilities test can identify individuals who are physically unable to perform
the essential functions of a job without risking injury to themselves or others.
 It helps to decreased absenteeism.
 It helps to save money.
 It helps to reduce risk of Furter complications in individual.

DISADVANTAGES OF PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST (PAT):

 Costly to administered.
 May have age based disparate impact against older applicants.
  Time consuming

CONCLUSION:
A test can be used as part of the selection process for job interviews, to assess children in
schools, assess people with mental health issues or offenders in prison. The tests are designed
to assess personal qualities such as personality, beliefs, social competence, values,
developmental milestones and interest and to measure motivation or drive.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
1. Sodhi Jaspreet Kaur. “Comprehensive Textbook of Nursing Education.” First
Edition. Ansari Road, New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (p) Ltd;
2017. Page no 285 – 286.
2. Raj Bhaskara D. Elakkuvana and Nima Bhaskar. “Text Book of Nursing
Education.” Second Edition.Mahalakshmipuram, Bangalore: Emmess Medical
Publishers; 2015. Page no 290 – 293.

3.