The Neurocognitive Disorders
Choose one diagnosis from the Neurocognitive Disorders group use w/Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) as your tool
Choose one of the tools/instruments from the pdf link:
Heart and Stroke. (n.d.). Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) (Links to an external site.). [PDF]
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc.
Scan Pages 591-643
Overview
As you will learn throughout the program, the diagnosis of a variety of psychiatric illnesses is not always an easy or straightforward process. Multiple observations and assessment methods are often employed to reach a diagnosis. This approach can include the use of standardized assessment instruments. This then aids you in defining a treatment plan and choosing specific treatment plans to use in the care of your clients.
You are tasked with identifying a standardized assessment instrument/tool to measure the disorders listed for each week. You will keep these instruments in the form of a “portfolio” that you can use in your clinical practice to assess clients who present with a variety of symptoms.
Instructions:
Instrument/ Tool criteria:
For each assessment, you are tasked with selecting, you will identify an instrument and:
1)List what DSM diagnosis the tool/instrument is used for.
2)Identify an assessment/diagnosis instrument.
3)Appraise a scholarly, peer-reviewed article that addresses the use of the instrument to support your choice as an evidence-based instrument for practice.
4)Evaluate the instrument’s appropriateness for diagnosing the condition it is designed to assess or if the developers of the instrument reported that the instrument is only part of a comprehensive assessment for the disorder.
5)Describe whether or not the instrument can be used to measure patient response to therapy/treatment or if it is strictly for assessment and diagnosis.
6)Discuss the psychometrics/scoring of the instrument, including reliability and validity.
7)Discuss any limitations associated with the use of the instrument.
8)Include a link to view the assessment if possible.
Sample Solution
A category of illnesses known as neurocognitive disorders typically result in reduced mental function. Formerly known as organic brain syndrome, the term neurocognitive disorders is now more frequently used to refer to these illnesses. These signs and symptoms could be brought on by a neurological disease like dementia or Alzheimer’s. Neurological function is gradually lost as a result of neurodegenerative illnesses, which cause the brain and nerves to degenerate over time. Brain injury or substance addiction can also result in neurocognitive problems. Neurocognitive disorders typically have an underlying cause that can be identified by healthcare professionals based on reported symptoms and the findings of diagnostic tests.
