NR548 EXAM 3 | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | 100% CORRECT
Mental Status Exam (MSE) Answer - -best tool for establishing a psychiatric
diagnosis
-combination of observations, impressions, & interpretation of client responses
-Eval of patients:
• appearance
• behavior
• speech
• affect
• thought process
• thought content
• cognition
mental health Answer - "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes
his or her own potential, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his
community"
mental status Answer - -refers to emotional (feeling) and cognitive (knowing)
function
-functioning is inferred through assessment of an individual's behaviors:
• consciousness
,• language
• mood and affect
• orientation
• attention
• memory
• abstract reasoning
• thought process
• thought content
• perceptions
Factors that affect the interpretation of the MSE Answer - culture
native language
educational level
literacy
social factors
MSE: Appearance Answer - -posture
-dress
-grooming
-physical appearance
• distinguishable markings; scars or tattoos
-facial expressions
level of alertness
-attitudes
-Self-esteem
-Personal statement
, MSE: Behavior Answer - how the client presents themselves during the
examination
-eye contact
-psychomotor activity
• increased or decreased
-movements
-mannerisms
-stereotypies
-posturing
-how the client responds to the exam
• responses appropriate to topics?
• sit still through exam?
-gait
-movements
• coordinated, slowed, excessive
MSE: Speech Answer - Assess general speech qualities:
-rate
• fast, rapidly, slowly
-rhythm
• monotone or slurred
-latency
-volume
• soft, normal, or loud
-content
-increased or decreased pauses between questions and answers?
UPDATE | 100% CORRECT
Mental Status Exam (MSE) Answer - -best tool for establishing a psychiatric
diagnosis
-combination of observations, impressions, & interpretation of client responses
-Eval of patients:
• appearance
• behavior
• speech
• affect
• thought process
• thought content
• cognition
mental health Answer - "a state of well-being in which every individual realizes
his or her own potential, can cope with normal stresses of life, can work
productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his
community"
mental status Answer - -refers to emotional (feeling) and cognitive (knowing)
function
-functioning is inferred through assessment of an individual's behaviors:
• consciousness
,• language
• mood and affect
• orientation
• attention
• memory
• abstract reasoning
• thought process
• thought content
• perceptions
Factors that affect the interpretation of the MSE Answer - culture
native language
educational level
literacy
social factors
MSE: Appearance Answer - -posture
-dress
-grooming
-physical appearance
• distinguishable markings; scars or tattoos
-facial expressions
level of alertness
-attitudes
-Self-esteem
-Personal statement
, MSE: Behavior Answer - how the client presents themselves during the
examination
-eye contact
-psychomotor activity
• increased or decreased
-movements
-mannerisms
-stereotypies
-posturing
-how the client responds to the exam
• responses appropriate to topics?
• sit still through exam?
-gait
-movements
• coordinated, slowed, excessive
MSE: Speech Answer - Assess general speech qualities:
-rate
• fast, rapidly, slowly
-rhythm
• monotone or slurred
-latency
-volume
• soft, normal, or loud
-content
-increased or decreased pauses between questions and answers?
