Health Tip: Taking a Mental Status Test

Saturday, June 7, 2008; 3:00 AM

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(HealthDay News) -- Mental status tests are given to determine the state of a person's mental health. The test, for example, can help gauge the mental progression of a physical illness such as Alzheimer's disease.

Here's what may comprise a mental status test, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

• An examination of physical appearance, including dress and grooming.
• Orientation and awareness -- knowing one's own name, address, and phone, as well as the current date and season.
• Length of attention span, and short-term and long-term memory.
• Tests to determine abilities including problem solving and judgment.
• Ability to identify objects and recall words.