Mental Status Exam: Terms and findings

Question 1

Orientation

Answer 1

Orientation to person, place, time, and current situation

Question 2

Affect

Answer 2

The observed, objective, emotional state of a person; degree of emotion or mood.

Question 3

Mood

Answer 3

Described using the patient’s own words or summary terms; subjective

Question 4

Speech

Answer 4

Observing the patient’s spontaneity of speech or any abnormalities

Question 5

Thought Process

Answer 5

The quantity, tempo and form of thought.

Question 6

Thought content

Answer 6

Evaluation of patient’s thinking(especially abnormal content)

Question 7

Hallucinations (auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory etc)

Answer 7

Any perceived false sensory modality

Question 8

Delusions

Answer 8

False, fixed ideas

Question 9

Illusions

Answer 9

Distortion of real sensory modality

Question 10

Judgement

Answer 10

Patient’s capacity to make decisions

Question 11

Insight

Answer 11

Patient’s understanding of their illness, treatment options

Question 12

Suicidal (SI) / Homicidal Ideation (HI)

Answer 12

Thoughts of suicide / thoughts of homicide