Immersion: Mental status

Your patient’s level of consciousness will quickly become clear during your interview – are they alert, confused or sedated?  Note their speech and awareness of their current situation.

To formally assess mental status, ask your patient their full name, location and date. Decreased level of consciousness and confusion are much more common in the hospital, and mild cognitive impairment is common in the elderly. In these situations, formally assess orientation to person, place and time, as Dr. Taylor demonstrates below.