MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION (1) ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH CLIENTS

ASSESSMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC-MENTAL HEALTH CLIENTS MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION 1 Learning Objectives • Discuss the mental status examination • Articulate the purpose of a comprehensive mental status examination • Understand the parts of the mental status examination • Formulate the criteria for documentation of assessment data 2 ASSESSMENT: COMPONENTS OF PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT • Interview • Health History • Mental Status Examination 3 MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION • GENERAL DESCRIPTION – Appearance 1. Evidence of scars, tattoos, or other distinguishing skin marks 2. Grooming & dress 3. Hygiene 4. Level of eye contact 5. Posture – Motor Activity 1. Aggressiveness 2. Akinesia - 3. Bradykinesai 4. Echopraxia 5. Gait patterns 6. Hyperactivity 7. Hypokinesia 8. Psychomotor retardation 9. Tics or other stereotypical movements 10. Tremors 11. Restlessness or agitation 12. Rigidity 4 MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION (cont.) – Speech Patterns 1. Aphasia 2. Intonation 3. Pressure of speech 4. Slowness or rapidity of speech 5. Stuttering 6. Volume – General Attitude 1. Attentive/ interested 2. Cooperative/ uncooperative 3. Friendly/hostile/d efensive 4. Guarded/ suspicious 5. Uninterested/ apathetic 5 ....................................CONTINUED........................................