Mental Status Exam I: Behavioral Aspects

These flashcards cover essential concepts related to the Mental Status Exam, focusing on behavioral and cognitive aspects as outlined in the lecture notes.

What is the Mental Status Exam (MSE)?

The MSE is an assessment of a patient's current mental functioning and a staple of the initial mental health evaluation.

How is the Mental Status Exam typically divided?

The MSE is usually divided into behavioral and cognitive aspects.

What are the key behavioral aspects assessed in the MSE?

1. General appearance and behavior 2. Mood 3. Flow of thought.

What are the cognitive aspects assessed in the MSE?

1. Content of thought 2. Perception 3. Cognition 4. Insight and judgment.

What physical characteristics should be observed during the MSE?

Ethnicity, age, body build, posture, and unusual physical characteristics.

What does the alertness continuum include?

Full alertness, drowsiness, clouding of consciousness, stupor, and coma.

Why should a clinician note a patient's clothing and hygiene?

Clothing and hygiene can provide clues about the patient's mental state and possible disorders.

What is akathisia?

A condition where a patient cannot sit still, often due to side effects of antipsychotic medications.

What are nonverbal cues to feelings associated with anger?

Clenched jaw, knotted fists, flushing of face or neck.

What does the term 'mood' refer to in the MSE?

Mood refers to the way a person claims to be feeling.

How is mood appropriateness assessed?

It is assessed by judging how well a patient's mood matches the situation and the content of thought.

What is considered a sign of lability in mood?

Wide swings of mood that may be observed as normal at times but can indicate underlying mental health issues.

What is the main focus of 'flow of thought' during the MSE?

The thought process as reflected in the patient's flow of speech.

Define derailment in the context of speech abnormalities.

A breakdown in thought association where one idea runs into another, often with little logical connection.

What is the difference between poverty of speech and muteness?

Poverty of speech is a marked reduction in speech, while muteness is the total absence of speech.

What is push of speech?

Rapid speech that is difficult to interrupt, often associated with mania.

What does clanging refer to in speech?

A pattern of speech where the choice of words is governed by rhyming or other similarities in sound.

What is the significance of 'thought blocking' during an interview?

It indicates a sudden stop in the patient's thought process, often without explanation.

How can verbal tics affect conversational flow?

Verbal tics are often used as time fillers, which may disrupt the flow of conversation.