Chapter 05: Mental Status

Chapter 05: Mental Status

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. When is the mental status portion of the neurologic system examination performed?

a.	During the history-taking process
b.	During assessment of cranial nerves and deep tendon reflexes
c.	During the time when questions related to memory are asked
d.	Continually, throughout the entire interaction with a patient

 

 

ANS:  D

A mental status evaluation should be continually performed throughout the patient encounter. Assessing and validating clues to determine the individual’s ability to interact within the environment is a priority of the mental status evaluation.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)                    REF:   p. 64

OBJ:   Nursing process—assessment          MSC:  Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

 

2. A 69-year-old truck driver presents with a sudden loss of the ability to understand spoken language. This indicates a lesion in the:

a.	temporal lobe.
b.	Broca area.
c.	frontal cortex.
d.	cerebellum.

 

 

ANS:  A

The temporal lobe, specifically in the Wernicke speech area, is responsible for the comprehension of spoken and written language.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)             REF:   p. 64

OBJ:   Nursing process—assessment          MSC:  Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

 

3. Mr. DeLaurentis is a 58-year-old man who presents to your office with slumped posture and a lack of facial expression, which may indicate depression or:

a.	Parkinson disease.
b.	anxiety.
c.	loss of abstract reasoning.
d.	attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

 

 

ANS:  A

A slumped posture and lack of facial expression may be clues to more than depression; they are also defining characteristics of Parkinson disease.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                           REF:   p. 64

OBJ:   Nursing process—assessment          MSC:  Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

 

4. The ability for abstract thinking normally develops during:

a.	infancy.
b.	early childhood.
c.	adolescence.
d.	adulthood.

 

 

ANS:  C

Abstract thinking is an intellectual maturation that develops during adolescence.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)                    REF:   pp. 64-65

OBJ:   Nursing process—assessment          MSC:  Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation

 

5. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) may be used to:

a.	estimate cognitive changes quantitatively.
b.	estimate personality disorders qualitatively.
c.	diagnose neurologic disorders.
d.	determine the cause of memory loss.

 

 

ANS:  A

The MMSE is a standard tool that functions to estimate cognitive function quantitatively or to document cognitive changes serially.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)                    REF:   p. 67

OBJ:   Nursing process—assessment          MSC:  Physiologic Integrity: Physiologic Adaptation