Question

The nurse must assess a client's judgment to determine mental status. To best accomplish this, the nurse should have the client:

1. interpret proverbs.
2. spell words backward.
3. count by serial sevens.
4. discuss hypothetical ethical situations.

Answer 1

To assess judgment during a mental status exam, having the client interpret proverbs is the best option as it evaluates their understanding of abstract concepts and decision-making abilities, which are indicative of judgment.

Step-by-step explanation:

To best assess a client's judgment and abstract reasoning during a mental status exam, the nurse should have the client interpret proverbs. This task directly targets the functions of the prefrontal cortex responsible for planning and decision-making. When a client interprets proverbs such as "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," this assessment evaluates the individual's ability to understand and apply abstract concepts, which is a critical component of judgment.

Discussing hypothetical ethical situations can serve a similar purpose, as it requires the individual to consider and evaluate different courses of action, much like interpreting proverbs. In contrast, spelling words backward or counting by serial sevens are tasks more related to assessing memory and concentration rather than judgment or abstract reasoning.