Question

A medical assistant is collecting initial data for an older patient at a clinic visit, which of the following should suggest to the assistant that the patient needs a mental evaluation?

Answer 1

A medical assistant might consider a mental evaluation for an older patient if the patient exhibits difficulties with cognitive tasks, gives unrealistic responses to simple questions, or shows signs of sensory system issues.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medical assistant is collecting initial data from an older patient and considering if the patient might need a mental evaluation, there are specific indications to look for. If the patient has difficulty performing cognitive tasks like repeating a string of numbers, or if there is an abnormal response to simple questions such as asking the patient's name and they reply with something unrealistic like 'Santa Claus', this may suggest a need for further assessment. Additionally, signs of sensory system issues, such as reporting pins and needles in the limbs or difficulty feeling touch, could indicate neurological problems that require a more in-depth mental status evaluation.