Answer to Question #177933 in Psychology for Zack

Question

Mental status assessment had how many areas to explore

Answer 1

Mental status assessment is an examination that is performed to gauge the present mental capacity by means of evaluating a series of traits (Gooran, M. (2017). The evaluation is one on someone’s perceptions on what they either believe, bizarre beliefs which can be unusual, general appearance or behavior. This examination is done on an individual whose mental status is either altered or an evolving impairment of cognition which can either be chronic or acute.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) is a tool generally used for screening cognitive functions because it covers a broad array. A Mini-Mental State Examination focuses on testing memory when evaluating patients with Alzheimer disease. Results are recorded and repeated after a year for any case of change of mental status is suspected. The patients are given prior notice so as to be aware that the test will be repeated so as not to be embarrassed.

The examination is done in a quiet room and the examiner is supposed to be very audible. If the respondent is not eligible to the primary English language, an alternative language that is fit to the respondent is used (Jansen, 2017). Mental status assessment majors on evaluating different areas that are common with cognitive functions. The examiner must also make sure that the respondent or patient is attentive. This is achieved by the examiner asking the respondent to immediately repeat three words since testing an in an attentive patient is not useful for the survey.

The parameters of how to achieve testing of cognitive function is done by first orienting the patient and knowing their name and asking them the time. The patient is asked a short term memory questioned in the first two minutes of the test then followed by a long-term memory question which may include the suit one wore during their wedding (Moon, 2017). The examiner asks a question on arithmetic which is easy to tackle. A word finding questioned is posed and immediately followed by an attention and concentration which involves spelling a five letter word forward and backwards.

 

References

Jansen, B. D. W., Brazil, K., Passmore, P., Buchanan, H., Maxwell, D., McIlfatrick, S. J., ... & Parsons, C. (2017). Exploring healthcare assistants’ role and experience in pain assessment and management for people with advanced dementia towards the end of life: a qualitative study. BMC Palliative Care, 16(1), 1-11.

Masoudzadeh, A., Hadinezhad, P., & Gooran, M. (2017). Comparison of Mental Health Status of People Exposed to Noise Pollution with People in Non-Polluted Areas of Sari. Health, 9(05), 839.

Moon, J., Williford, A., & Mendenhall, A. (2017). Educators' perceptions of youth mental health: Implications for training and the promotion of mental health services in schools. Children and youth services review, 73, 384-391.