Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Practice Exam

How does a nurse assess a patient's mental status?

1. By asking about their favorite color

2. By inquiring about the patient's current location

3. By asking their opinion on politics

4. By discussing their hobbies

The correct answer is: By inquiring about the patient's current location

Assessing a patient’s mental status is a crucial aspect of nursing practice and typically involves evaluating their cognition, orientation, and awareness. Inquiring about the patient's current location serves as a straightforward method to determine their level of orientation to person, place, and time. If a patient can accurately state where they are, it indicates that they have a grasp on their surroundings and are likely functioning within an appropriate cognitive range. The other options, such as discussing hobbies, favorite colors, or opinions on politics, may provide insight into the patient's interests and personality, but they do not effectively assess mental status or orientation. These topics may not necessarily reveal whether the patient is oriented or experiencing cognitive deficits. Hence, asking about the current location directly evaluates a key component of mental status—the awareness of one's environment.