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Overview
Psychiatric mental status examinations are part of the job of nurses, physicians, and many others in the field of mental health and addictions. In this highly accessible guide, Cheryl Webster Pollard introduces students and emerging practitioners to the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination. Fundamentals of the Psychiatric Mental Status Examination is an interactive workbook containing case studies, activities, and study questions to guide students through the process of administering the examination and documenting the information.
Each chapter explores a distinct aspect of the assessment, allowing readers to focus on key areas of interest. Students will learn how to assess for potential psychopathology, psychosis, and suicidal or homicidal ideation, and will examine unique cultural and age considerations that may affect individual experiences. Well-suited to a wide range of disciplines, including health, nursing, social work, and occupational therapy, this workbook’s practical approach and rich pedagogical content make it an ideal resource for new and aspiring practitioners in these fields.
Features
- offers the psychiatric mental status examination in manageable, easily digested pieces
- includes case studies with discussion questions and activities that relate to specific cultural and age factors
- presents in-depth examples that support a wide range of learners
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Preface
Chapter 1 — Psychiatric Mental Status Examination
What Is a Psychiatric Mental Status Examination?
Who Conducts a Psychiatric Mental Status Examination?
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: What Do I Say Next?
Study Questions
Chapter 2 — Preparing to Complete a Psychiatric Mental Status Examination, by Linda Cavanaugh
What Are You Looking For?
Activity: My Images of Mentally Healthy and Mentally Ill
What Does It Mean When Someone Is Mentally “Healthy”?
Activity: Time to Ponder
Assessment for the “Expected”
Chapter Glossary Terms
Study Questions
Chapter 3 — General Description
General Description: How Is This Assessed?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: General Description Word Search
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 4 — Emotional State
How Is Emotional State Assessed?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: Writing a Focused Review
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 5 — Speech
How Is Speech Assessed?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: Speech Linkage with Other Areas of the Mental Status Examination
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 6 — Thought Processes
How Are Thought Processes Assessed?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: Alphabet Soup Puzzle
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 7 — Thought Content
How Is Thought Content Assessed?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: Developmental Refresher
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 8 — Risk Assessment
What Is a Risk Assessment?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: Risk Assessment Word Search
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 9 — Perception
How Is Perception Assessed?
How Do You Document Perception?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: What Is Expected versus Unexpected?
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 10 — Cognitive State
How Is Cognitive State/Sensorium Assessed?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: What Is Expected versus Unexpected?
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 11 — Insight
How Is Insight Assessed?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: Insight Matching Exercise
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 12— Volition
How Do You Assess Volition?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: What Is Expected versus Unexpected?
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 13 — Physical Functioning
Physical Functioning: Does It Really Matter?
Special Considerations
Chapter Glossary Terms
Activity: What Body System Are You Asking About?
Study Questions
Case Study
Chapter 14 — Putting It All Together
Now What?
Activity: Collecting Information on Mental Status Examination Section Categories
Case Study
Chapter 15— What Do You Do with a Completed Psychiatric Mental Status Examination?
Next Steps
Example of a Psychiatric Mental Status Examination
Study Questions
Activity Answers
Glossary