In order to test abstract thought on the mental status exam, the clinician can ask:
A. Count by serial 7's backward
B. Spell the word "world" backward
C. Draw a clock that shows 2:30
D. How is your brother-in-law related to you?
ANS: D
Rationale: Box 15.1 Mental Status Components
Orientation—The patient should normally be aware of person, date, and place. Ask the patient his or her full name, current date, and place in which the examination is being done.
Memory—Recent and remote memory should normally be intact. Ask what the patient had for lunch yesterday (recent) and where he or she graduated from elementary school (remote).
Fund of knowledge (take into consideration the patient's level of education)—Ask about any recent news events or significant upcoming or past holiday.
Attention span—Ability to focus on the interviewer without being easily distracted. Ask the patient to repeat a short list of numbers (e.g., 7-8-9-3-0-2). Inability to repeat six or more numbers indicates attention deficit.
Concentration—Ability to concentrate on a question or task. Ask the patient to remember three unrelated words (red, happy, and five) and then to repeat them in 5 minutes, or ask the patient to count backward from 100 by 7.
Language—Use and understanding of language. Ask the patient to write a full sentence or to spell world backward. Distinguish between dysphonias and dysarthrias, as these indicate mechanical disturbances often due to CN dysfunction. Assess fluency of speech by asking the patient to repeat "no ifs, ands, or buts about it." Dysfluent speech is Broca's aphasia. Speech that is devoid of content indicates Wernicke's aphasia.
Abstract thoughts—Ask the patient to interpret a common proverb (e.g., a stitch in time saves nine), or ask the patient to answer an abstract question (e.g., "Is my sister's brother a man or a woman?").
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