During an examination, the nurse can assess mental status by which activity?

A) Examining the patient's electroencephalogram
B) Observing the patient as he or she performs an intelligence quotient (IQ) test
C) Observing the patient and inferring health or dysfunction
D) Examining the patient's response to a specific set of questions

Mental status cannot be directly scrutinized like the characteristics of skin or heart sounds. Its functioning is inferred through an assessment of an individual's behaviors, such as consciousness, language, mood and affect, and other aspects. Mental status cannot be directly scrutinized through tests such as an electroencephalogram, intelligence quotient (IQ) test, or responses to questions. Instead, the functioning of mental status is inferred through an assessment of an individual's behaviors, such as consciousness, language, mood and affect, and other aspects.