Health Tip: Taking a Mental Status Test

Here's what to expect

Related Encyclopedia • Autism • Bipolar Disorder • Death and Grieving • Dementia More... Related Healthscout Videos Body Dysmorphic Disorder- A Serious Disease Meet Sue Bergeson Getting a Second Opinion Preparing for Crisis More... Related Drug Information • Adderal XR • Concerta • Effexor XR • Paxil More... Related News Articles • Fear Response May Stem From Protein in Brain • Brain Scans Show How Humans 'Hear' Emotion • Cocaine Spurs Long-Term Change in Brain Chemistry • Psychiatric Drugs Might Raise Cardiac Death Risk More...

(HealthDay News) -- Mental status tests are given to determine the state of a person's mental health. The test, for example, can help gauge the mental progression of a physical illness such as Alzheimer's disease.

Text Continues Below

---

Here's what may comprise a mental status test, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• An examination of physical appearance, including dress and grooming.
• Orientation and awareness -- knowing one's own name, address, and phone, as well as the current date and season.
• Length of attention span, and short-term and long-term memory.
• Tests to determine abilities including problem solving and judgment.
• Ability to identify objects and recall words.

-- Diana Kohnle