Abstract
The mental status examination is part of the complete physical examination of every patient seen by a physician. No physician would think his examination complete unless he listened to the patient’s heart and recorded the vital signs. The brain deserves just as much attention. Of all hospitalized acutely ill medical/surgical patients, 10–15% have brain dysfunction and consequent abnormal behavior secondary to their systemic illness [1–3]. Additionally, 15–20% of the general population may be at risk for psychiatric disorder [4,5]. The mental status examination is essential in identifying individuals with brain dysfunction.
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Taylor, M.A. (1982). The Phenomenologic Mental Status Examination. In: Sierles, F. (eds) Clinical Behavioral Science. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7973-7_17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7973-7_17
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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