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Abstract
The mental status evaluation is a useful test in the emergency department. The major
purposes of the examination are to determine the presence of neuropsychiatric illness
and to determine whether this illness is functional or organic. The most accepted
evaluation of mental status is the formal mental status evaluation. This extensive
test is rarely necessary in the emergency department; rather a short test of cognitive
function, such as the Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination or Mini-Mental Status
Examination, may be more appropriate. With frequent repetition in use and the concomitant
development of clear standards for interpretation of the examination used, the emergency
physician will become more comfortable with bedside mental status testing.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
July 22,
1987
Received:
February 11,
1986
Identification
Copyright
© 1988 Published by Elsevier Inc.
