Table 2.

Altered Mental Status: Small Group Cases

Case #1: 85-year-old nursing home patient with depressed mental status Case #2: 20-year-old student agitated outside of a rock concert Case #3: 37-year-old subtle mental status change and headache Case #4: 54-year-old female in a coma state

Format: Each case discussion reviews initial approach at the bedside, including vital sign assessment, essential history and physical exam elements, initial treatment, differential diagnosis, and appropriate diagnostic testing. Sessions are 2 hours with one faculty facilitator and 10–15 medical students. Emphasis was placed on the first two cases which were designed by a study author (Author #1).