Question

As part of a psychological assessment, a mental status exam is used to find out how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. However, what is the primary purpose of a mental status exam?

a. to determine what type of treatment should be used
b. to determine if a psychological disorder might be present
c. to determine whether the individual also has a medical condition
d. to determine which medication would be most effective

Answer 1

To resolve a psychological disorder might be present

Explanation:

MSE is a psychological evaluation of a person's mental and behavioral symptoms. It is an objective evaluation of the clinician and subjective description given by the patients. It provides information about assessment and diagnosis. it provides a snapshot at the point of time. MSE provides the history of the patient that is needed in the formulation of the patient disorder. It provides us a physical as the well psychological assessment of the patients.

Components included in MSE:

• Appearance
• Behavior
• Speech
• Mood
• Affect
• Thought process
• Cognition
• Insight
• Judgment