Question

Which of the following should the clinician evaluate to ensure accurate results when testing mental status in an older patient?

a) Vision and hearing abilities
b) Taste and smell sensations
c) Joint flexibility and muscle strength
d) Cardiovascular fitness

Answer 1

The clinician should evaluate (a) vision and hearing abilities to ensure accurate mental status testing results in an older patient, as these sensory abilities are crucial for accurate cognitive function assessment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When testing mental status in an older patient, the clinician should evaluate the patient's vision and hearing abilities to ensure accurate results. These sensory abilities can significantly impact the assessment of cognitive functions such as orientation and memory, language and speech, sensorium, and judgment and abstract reasoning.

If a patient has impaired vision or hearing, it might affect their ability to perform certain aspects of the mental status exam, leading to an inaccurate assessment of their cognitive health.