General Survey and Mental Status Exam Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to general surveys and mental status exams essential for nursing practice.

General Survey

The study of the whole person; the first part of physical assessment.

Mental Status Examination

An assessment of a person’s emotional and cognitive functioning.

Components of Mental Status Assessment

Appearance, behavior, cognition, thought processes.

Physical Appearance

Assessment of a person's visual look including age and distress signs.

Level of Consciousness

Noted immediately; indicates alertness or drowsiness.

Body Structure

The assessment of stature, nutrition, posture, and position.

Mobility

Assessment of gait and ease of movement.

Behavior

Assessment of facial expressions, mood, speech, and dress.

Cognition

Involves memory, orientation, and higher cognitive functions.

Thought Processes

Assessment of logic and coherence in a person's communication.

Dementia

A chronic progressive loss of cognitive function while consciousness remains intact.

Delirium

An acute confusional state, often reversible and associated with acute illness.

Organic Disorders

Disorders that affect cognitive functioning, such as dementia or delirium.

Developmental Competence

Focuses on understanding a patient's mental status relative to their developmental stage.

Aging Adults

Mental status can be influenced by age-related changes and chronic diseases.

Dwarfism

Abnormal short stature due to genetic factors.

Hypopituitary Dwarfism

A form of dwarfism caused by an underactive pituitary gland.

Achondroplastic Dwarfism

A common form of dwarfism due to a genetic mutation affecting bone growth.

Gigantism

Excessive growth due to increased growth hormone before skeletal maturity.

Acromegaly

Growth hormone excess in adulthood leading to enlarged body parts.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss and psychological issues.

Cushing’s Syndrome

Hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol, leading to weight changes.

Marfan Syndrome

A genetic disorder affecting connective tissues, often leading to tall stature.

Mental Status Exam Components

Includes appearance, behavior, cognition, and thought processes.

Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)

A brief assessment tool focusing on cognitive functions.

Four Unrelated Words Test

An assessment for memory using four distinct words for recall.

Aphasia

A communication disorder affecting language comprehension and production.

Dysarthria

A speech disorder resulting from muscle control issues.

Orientation Assessment

Determining a person's awareness of self, time, and place.

Recent Memory

Ability to recall events from the past 24 hours.

Remote Memory

Ability to recall past events from a longer duration.

Judgment

The ability to evaluate choices and make decisions based on situations.

Behavioral Checklist

A tool used to assess behavioral issues in children.

Denver II Screening Test

A developmental screening tool for young children.

Therapeutic Communication

A communication process aimed at patient understanding and support.

Non-Therapeutic Communication Techniques

Methods that can hinder effective communication, such as leading questions.

Closed-Ended Question

Questions that limit responses to yes/no or simple factual answers.

Open-Ended Question

Questions that encourage full, meaningful answers using the responder’s knowledge.

Health History

A comprehensive assessment of a patient's past and present health.

Vital Signs

Measurements of the body’s basic functions, such as temperature and heart rate.

Pain Assessment

The evaluation of a patient's discomfort level and nature.

Study Tip

Get adequate sleep for optimal cognitive performance during study.

Cognitive Functioning

The mental activities associated with thinking, knowing, and memory.

Emergency Cases

Patient situations requiring immediate assessment of mental status.

Patient Safety

The prevention of errors and adverse effects related to patient care.

Caregiver Support

Resources provided to help family members care for patients.

Clinical Judgement

The ability to make informed decisions in patient care based on assessments.

Critical Thinking

The objective analysis and evaluation of issues to form a judgment.

Nursing Interventions

Actions taken by nurses to improve patient outcomes.

Patient Education

Information provided to help patients understand their health conditions.

Effective Assessment

Collecting comprehensive data to inform patient care decisions.

Holistic Approach

Considering the whole person—mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Preventive Care

Health care practices aimed at disease prevention and health promotion.

Case Studies

Analyses of specific patient situations to enhance learning.

Evidence-based Practice

Using current best evidence in making decisions about patient care.

Multidisciplinary Team

A collaborative approach involving professionals from various disciplines.

Patient-Centered Care

Health care that respects and responds to individual patient preferences.

Patient Assessment Tools

Standardized resources used to evaluate patient health status.

Functional Assessment

An evaluation of a person’s ability to perform daily activities.

Clinical Guidelines

Evidence-based recommendations to guide clinical practice.

Risk Factors

Attributes or exposures that increase the likelihood of developing a disease.

Cognitive Impairment

Challenges with mental functions such as memory and reasoning.

Rehabilitation Concepts

Strategies to support recovery and return to normal functioning.

Mental Wellness

The state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities.

Comorbidity

The simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions in a patient.

Longitudinal Assessment

An evaluation over a significant period to monitor changes and progress.

Community Resources

Local facilities or support systems available to assist patients and families.

Discharge Planning

The process of preparing a patient to leave a health care facility.

Chronic Illness Management

Ongoing care and support for patients with long-term health conditions.

Patient Advocacy

Support for patients' rights and needs in a health care system.

Social Determinants of Health

Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that affect health.

Best Practices

Strategies or techniques that have been proven to lead to desired results.

Self-Care Education

Teaching patients to manage their health and well-being independently.

Therapeutic Techniques

Methods used in counseling to support patient healing.

Collaboration in Care

Working together with other health professionals to meet patient needs.

Evidence-Based Research

Systematic investigation to establish facts or principles in nursing.

Ethical Considerations

Moral principles that guide nursing practice and research.

Culturally Competent Care

Care that recognizes and respects patients' cultural differences.

Healthcare Disparities

Differences in health outcomes and access to care among different populations.

Quality of Care

The degree to which health services for individuals improve desired health outcomes.

Nursing Scholarship

Research and educational activities focused on improving nursing practice.

Professional Development

Opportunities for nurses to enhance their skills and knowledge throughout their careers.

Patient Empowerment

Encouraging patients to take charge of their own health decisions.