Assessing the patient's understanding of their condition and decision-making. Key Features
Suggested improvements (if author were revising) Assessing the patient's understanding of their condition and
Appearance: Disheveled, wearing hospital gown, restless. Behavior: Frequent shifting in seat, tapping feet. Speech: Rapid, pressured, difficult to interrupt. Mood: “Nervous.” Affect: Anxious, labile – tearful then irritable within minutes. Thought Process: Tangential – never returns to original question. Thought Content: No delusions, but endorses fear of losing control. Perception: Denies hallucinations. Cognition: Attention (digit span 4 forward, 2 reverse) – impaired. Short-term memory (3 objects at 5 min) – 1/3, with cueing improves to 2/3. Executive function: Proverb “glass houses” – concrete (“don’t throw rocks”). Insight: Partial – admits feeling different but denies need for medication. Judgment: Fair – would call family if anxious but not 911. Speech: Rapid, pressured, difficult to interrupt