What is the purpose of the mental status examination (MSE)?
Q: What is the purpose of the mental status examination (MSE)?
A: The purpose of the MSE is to get an overall description of the patient's mental state so that a clinician can make a diagnosis and choose a treatment plan.
Q: How does the MSE work?
A: The MSE works by looking at different aspects of a person's mental state, including attitude, behavior, mood and feeling, speech, thinking, perception, cognition, insight, and judgment.
Q: How is the MSE different from the mini-mental state examination (MMSE)?
A: The MSE is an assessment of a person's mental state that is used to make a diagnosis and choose a treatment plan, while the MMSE is a brief test for dementia.
Q: What parts of the MSE are done by observing, asking questions, and noting?
A: Some parts of the MSE are done by observing, asking questions, and noting information about the person, such as their behavior, attitude, mood and affect, speech, and insight and judgment.
Q: Can psychological tests be used during the MSE?
A: Yes, some parts of the MSE may be done using psychological tests.
Q: What is the purpose of the diagnosis made during the MSE?
A: The diagnosis made during the MSE is used to choose a treatment plan for the person.
Q: What is the main goal of the MSE?
A: The main goal of the MSE is to describe a patient's current mental state so that a clinician can make a diagnosis and choose a treatment plan.
