During an examination, the nurse can assess mental status by ...

[jjjetplane]

During an examination, the nurse can assess mental status by which activity?
 
  a. Examining the patient's electroencephalogra m
  b. Observing the patient as he or she performs an intelligence quotient (IQ) test
  c. Observing the patient and inferring health or dysfunction
  d. Examining the patient's response to a specific set of questions

Question 2

The nurse is conducting a developmental history on a 5-year-old child. Which questions are appropriate to ask the parents for this part of the assessment? Select all that apply.
 
  a. How much junk food does your child eat?
  b. How many teeth has he lost, and when did he lose them?
  c. Is he able to tie his shoelaces?
  d. Does he take a children's vitamin?
  e. Can he tell time?
  f.
  Does he have any food allergies?

[Jane]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Mental status cannot be directly scrutinized like the characteristics of skin or heart sounds. Its functioning is inferred through an assessment of an individual's behaviors, such as consciousness, language, mood and affect, and other aspects.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B, C, E
Questions about tooth loss, ability to tell time, and ability to tie shoelaces are appropriate questions for a developmental assessment. Questions about junk food intake and vitamins are part of a nutritional history. Questions about food allergies are not part of a developmental history.