Observation – Mental Status
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Mental Status

Anatomy and Physiology
Three components are needed for proper function of mental status:
• Cerebral Cortex
• Ascending Reticular Activating System (RAS)
• Sensors

Assessment
Perform by observing patient’s response to its surrounding environment. Check for:
• Depression – patient is responsive to environmental stimuli but lethargic
• Stupor – patient is unresponsive to environmental stimuli but responds to pain stimuli
• Coma – patient is not responsive to environmental or pain stimuli