Mental Status Exam Flashcards
During MSE you will observe and evaluate
Observe physical appearance and behavior Observe cognitive abilities State of consciousness Abstract reasoning Memory Attention span Observe speech and language Evaluate emotional stability
History of Present IllnessMental Status
Disorientation and confusion
Depression
Anxiety
Past Medical History
History of: neurologic disorder brain surgery chronic disease Psychiatric disorder
Family History
Psychiatric disorders Mental illness Alcoholism Alzheimer disease Learning disorder Intellectual disability Autism
Personal and Social History
Emotional status
Relationship with family members
Communication skills
Use of alcohol, illicit drugs, tobacco
Infant and children
Lethargic, drowsy, alert, active, irritable
Pregnant patients
39% of patients with depression during pregnancy have postpartum depression
Older Patients
Access cognitive function
Safety
History of Present Illness/Review of Systems (ROS)
Feel optimistic about the future, reports good memory, concentration and interest in activity
Denies history of depression, mood swings or anxiety. No history of psychiatric illness
Physical Exam
Mental status (often under general)
Alert, oriented to person, place and time, dressed for the weather, speech is fluid and appropriate, short and long term memory intact
Pleasant, well-groomed female in no apparent distress
Cooperative, well-groomed and is in no apparent distress. Making good eye contact. Alert and oriented x 3. Speech is clear. Comprehends directions
Assessment tools used for MSE
MOCA and MiniCog
primary part of the brain that is responsible for mental status
cerebrum
Frontal lobe responsible
decision making, problem solving, concentration, and short term memory. Memory , affect and drive and self awareness
parietal lobe
receiving and processing sensory data
temporal lobe
perception and interpretation and integration of behavior, emotions, and long term memory
