Mental Status: Examination

Abstract

Abstract The mental status exam is the equivalent of the physical exam for mental health practitioners. It contains both objective observations and subjective reporting from the patient. It allows the evaluee's mental state at the time of evaluation to be documented and preserved. The mental status is generally reported in the order of physical/superficial observations to more detailed internal thought process and capabilities. Multiple tests, screens, or scales can be used to assist the evaluator in determining a person's mental status. The mental status can be used for a variety of purposes such as formulating a diagnosis, accessing malingering, determining violence risk to self or others, and justifying a billing code. It needs to be remembered though that a mental status is just one part of a comprehensive examination or clinical encounter and there can be variation in the information noted depending on the context of the evaluation.

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