Find information on Mental Status Change diagnosis, including clinical documentation tips, medical coding guidelines (ICD-10), and healthcare resources for altered mental status, delirium, confusion, and encephalopathy. Learn about assessment, common causes, and best practices for documenting mental status changes in patient charts. This resource provides valuable insights for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals seeking to improve their understanding and documentation of mental status changes.
Also known as
Disorientation and Delirium
Covers various mental status changes like confusion and disorientation.
Delirium, Not Induced by Alcohol
Specifies delirium not caused by alcohol or other substances.
Encephalopathy, Unspecified
Brain dysfunction that can cause altered mental status.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the mental status change due to a physical condition?
Yes
Is it due to drug/alcohol?
No
Is it a primary mental disorder?
When to use each related code
Description |
---|
Altered mental state, sudden or gradual |
Delirium, acute confusional state |
Dementia, progressive cognitive decline |
Coding mental status change without documented cause can lead to claim denials and inaccurate severity reflection.
Misattributing mental status change to existing conditions like dementia can obscure the true acute condition.
Insufficient documentation of specific mental status exam findings weakens coding accuracy and audit defensibility.
Patient presents with altered mental status (AMS), demonstrating a clinically significant change from baseline cognitive function. Assessment reveals [Specify onset: acute, subacute, gradual] changes in [Specify domains affected: level of consciousness, attention, orientation, memory, language, executive function, perception, thought content, thought process, insight, judgment]. Possible etiologies considered include, but are not limited to, delirium, dementia, metabolic encephalopathy, substance intoxication, substance withdrawal, medication side effects, infection, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and psychiatric conditions. Patient exhibits [Describe specific symptoms observed e.g., disorientation to time and place, confusion, agitation, lethargy, hallucinations, delusions]. Neurological examination reveals [Document findings e.g., intact cranial nerves, normal motor strength, presence of tremors or asterixis]. Current medications include [List all current medications]. Medical history significant for [List pertinent medical history e.g., hypertension, diabetes, previous stroke]. Family history includes [Note relevant family history e.g., dementia, psychiatric illness]. Diagnostic workup may include [List planned or completed tests e.g., complete blood count (CBC), basic metabolic panel (BMP), urinalysis, blood cultures, toxicology screen, neuroimaging]. Differential diagnosis includes [List potential diagnoses being considered]. Initial treatment plan includes [Describe interventions initiated e.g., monitoring vital signs, ensuring patient safety, addressing underlying medical conditions, supportive care]. Patient's mental status will be closely monitored, and further evaluation and treatment will be based on ongoing assessment and diagnostic results. The patient's capacity for decision-making is [Specify e.g., intact, impaired] at this time. Family or caregiver involvement is [Describe level of involvement e.g., present and providing collateral information, contacted by phone]. Continued reassessment and documentation of mental status changes are crucial for appropriate management and medical decision-making.