Mental Status Examination Overview

Mental Status Examination (MSE)

Evaluation of client's current mental functioning, can be done informally or formally through direct questions.

choose to complete MSE if the client in questions warrants it due to

client having loose association, not making sense in their speech, experiencing tangential thoughts, possible dementia

Abstract Reasoning

Client's ability to interpret proverbs or identify themes between 3 or 4 objects.

Appearance

Assessment of client's attire, grooming, and age appropriateness.

Attitude

Evaluation of client's cooperation, resistance, or fearfulness.

Behavior

Observation of client's activity level, movements, alertness, facial expressions, and their alignment with discussed content.

Mood/Affect

Assessment of client's prevailing mood, mood lability, range of affect, and appropriateness to discussed content.

Speech

Evaluation of client's speech clarity, abnormalities, and pressure.

Thought Process

Assessment of client's thought coherence, tangentiality, flight of ideas, poverty of thought, and perseverations.

Thought Content

Evaluation of client's delusions, phobias, obsessions, preoccupations, suicidal thoughts, and thoughts of harming others.

Perceptions

Assessment of client's hallucinations or illusions.

Cognition

Evaluation of client's alertness, orientation, attention, concentration, and memory (short- and long-term).

Insight

Assessment of client's understanding of their symptoms or situation.

Judgment

Evaluation of client's ability to make sound, responsible decisions.

Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE)

30-point questionnaire for testing cognitive impairment, often used for dementia identification and tracking cognitive changes over time.

MMSE Score Interpretation

Scores: below 24 indicate abnormal cognitive functioning, 24-30 no impairment, 18-23 mild impairment, 1-17 severe impairment.

MMSE Questions

Includes questions on orientation, memory, attention, calculation, language, and visuospatial skills.