What does 'altered mental status' indicate?

Altered mental status refers to a significant change in an individual's cognitive function, which encompasses how they think, perceive reality, respond to their environment, and behave. This alteration may manifest as confusion, disorientation, changes in the level of consciousness, or difficulty in understanding and responding appropriately to questions and commands.

While other conditions, such as severe anxiety or substance overdose, may lead to an altered mental state, the term itself is broader and does not specifically limit itself to those scenarios. Therefore, recognizing altered mental status as a change in thinking and behavior captures the essential meaning of the term and its relevance in emergency care and transport situations. It is crucial for responders to identify these changes to assess and manage the underlying causes effectively.