C HAPTER 07: M ENTAL S TATUS
Ball: Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When is the mental status portion of the neurologic system examination
performed?
a. During the history-taking process
b. During assessment of cranial nerves and deep tendon reflexes
c. During the time when questions related to memory are asked
d. Continually, throughout the entire interaction with a patient
ANS: D
A mental status evaluation should be continually performed throughout the
patient encounter. Assessing and validating clues to determine the individual's
ability to interact within the environment is a priority of the mental status
evaluation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
2. A 69-year-old truck driver presents with a sudden loss of the ability to
understand spoken language. This indicates a lesion in the:
a. temporal lobe.
b. Broca area.
, c. frontal cortex.
d. cerebellum.
ANS: A
The temporal lobe, specifically in the Wernicke speech area, is responsible
for the comprehension of spoken and written language.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
3. The ability for abstract thinking normally develops during:
a. infancy.
b. early childhood.
c. adolescence.
d. adulthood.
ANS: C
Abstract thinking is an intellectual maturation that develops during
adolescence.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
4. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) may be used to:
, a. estimate cognitive changes quantitatively.
b. estimate personality disorders qualitatively.
c. diagnose neurologic disorders.
d. determine the cause of memory loss.
ANS: A
The MMSE is a standard tool that functions to estimate cognitive function
quantitatively or to document cognitive changes serially.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
5. Assessing orientation to person, place, and time helps determine:
a. ability to understand analogies.
b. abstract reasoning.
c. attention span.
d. state of consciousness.
ANS: D
Orientation to person, place, and time are measures of states of consciousness
and awareness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
Ball: Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination, 9th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When is the mental status portion of the neurologic system examination
performed?
a. During the history-taking process
b. During assessment of cranial nerves and deep tendon reflexes
c. During the time when questions related to memory are asked
d. Continually, throughout the entire interaction with a patient
ANS: D
A mental status evaluation should be continually performed throughout the
patient encounter. Assessing and validating clues to determine the individual's
ability to interact within the environment is a priority of the mental status
evaluation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
2. A 69-year-old truck driver presents with a sudden loss of the ability to
understand spoken language. This indicates a lesion in the:
a. temporal lobe.
b. Broca area.
, c. frontal cortex.
d. cerebellum.
ANS: A
The temporal lobe, specifically in the Wernicke speech area, is responsible
for the comprehension of spoken and written language.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
3. The ability for abstract thinking normally develops during:
a. infancy.
b. early childhood.
c. adolescence.
d. adulthood.
ANS: C
Abstract thinking is an intellectual maturation that develops during
adolescence.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
4. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) may be used to:
, a. estimate cognitive changes quantitatively.
b. estimate personality disorders qualitatively.
c. diagnose neurologic disorders.
d. determine the cause of memory loss.
ANS: A
The MMSE is a standard tool that functions to estimate cognitive function
quantitatively or to document cognitive changes serially.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
5. Assessing orientation to person, place, and time helps determine:
a. ability to understand analogies.
b. abstract reasoning.
c. attention span.
d. state of consciousness.
ANS: D
Orientation to person, place, and time are measures of states of consciousness
and awareness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension) OBJ: Nursing
process—assessment MSC: Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic
Adaptation
