Mental Status Test Analysis

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TEST ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS
Mental Status Exam (MSE)Test purpose:
The purpose of a mental status exam is to evaluate the general functioning of an individual at any given point.
Test use: Mental status exams are used to assess an individual 's cognitive functioning. They can be useful in assisting diagnosing a variety of cognitive disorders.
Test development and history: Mental status exams are rooted in Pinel 's beliefs as described in his 1801 publication of Treatise on Insanity. Pinel, often referred to as one of the modern fathers of psychiatry, asserted that “to seize the true character of mental derangement in a given case, and to pronounce an infallible prognosis of the event, is often a task of particular delicacy, and requires …show more content…

Applicable populations: Mental status exams are utilized with a variety of populations, but are most commonly utilized with older populations to detect signs of dementia and alzheimer’s.
Validity and reliability: Many commonly utilized mental status exams, such as the Saint Louis University Mental Status Exam (SLUMS), have no established test-retest reliability, inter-rater/intra-rater reliability, or internal consistency. Both the SLUMS and the commonly utilized Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) have been noted for their excellent validity ratings (r = 0.75) (Raad, 2014).
Malingering and deception: Mental status exams are based upon clinical observations from well trained clinicians, therefore minimizing the chance of the exaggerating or minimizing of symptoms.
Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory …show more content…

Applicable populations: The assessment is designed to be utilized with individuals between the ages of 18-73 (SASSI, 2001).
Validity and reliability: The assessment has an overall reliability coefficient of .93 based on test-retest reliability, making it an extremely reliable assessment (Fredricks, 2010). For it 's validity rate, the assessment has an overall validity of 93.9% (Fredricks, 2010). However, many argue that this reliability and validity be accepted with caution. The test-retest reliability is limited by the fact that it is only reported over a two-week period. In addition, the sample population with a high occurrence of substance abuse disorder, could attribute to it 's high validity rate (Fredricks, 2010).
Malingering and deception: This instrument contains a validity scale, aimed at identifying random response patterns. It has also been noted for its effectiveness in identifying individuals in denial or those trying to conceal their substance abuse issues (SASSI,

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