title: The mental status examination.
abstract: The mental status examination is a diagnostic procedure used to detect changes in or abnormalities of orientation, intellectual function (such as language, memory and calculation), thought content, judgment, and mood or affect in patients with medical, neurologic or psychiatric conditions that may affect brain function. The mental status examination can also be used to localize lesions in the brain. Much of the information needed for a mental status assessment can be obtained during a routine history. The elements of the examination depend on a patient's clinical presentation and cultural and educational background.
authors.affiliation: Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Dilsaver
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009949:Orientation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013060:Speech