{"id":10267,"date":"2026-06-24T00:15:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T08:15:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=10267"},"modified":"2026-05-29T16:03:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T00:03:18","slug":"nclex-question-of-the-day-altered-mental-status","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-altered-mental-status","title":{"rendered":"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Altered mental status"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-altered-mental-status\/#The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\" >The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX\u00ae Question is&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-altered-mental-status\/#Main_Takeaway\" >Main Takeaway<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-altered-mental-status\/#Incorrect_Answer_Explanations\" >Incorrect Answer Explanations<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-altered-mental-status\/#Want_to_learn_more_about_this_topic\" >Want to learn more about this topic?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Today\u2019s NCLEX-RN\u00ae question of the day focuses on a patient&#8217;s altered mental status. Do you know the answer? Let&#8217;s find out!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A patient is being hospitalized for <strong>altered mental status<\/strong>. Their imaging was negative for any acute intracranial pathology. The physician suspects <strong>intoxication with an illicit substance.<\/strong> The patient\u2019s completed laboratory tests are pictured below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"792\" height=\"626\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/labs-altered-mental-status.jpg\" alt=\"Illustration of a computer monitor displaying laboratory results organized into three sections: complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and urinalysis. The screen lists values for blood cells, electrolytes, kidney function markers, glucose, and urine characteristics, presenting a summary of routine diagnostic test results.\" class=\"wp-image-10271\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.265213918426439;width:528px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/labs-altered-mental-status.jpg 792w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/labs-altered-mental-status.jpg?resize=300,237 300w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/labs-altered-mental-status.jpg?resize=768,607 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For which additional test should the nurse send a sample next?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. D-Dimer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. Troponin T<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. COVID-19 Antigen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. Urine toxicology screen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Scroll down for the correct answer!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-embed-handler wp-block-embed-embed-handler wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=kGJCkPfFypA\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_correct_answer_to_todays_NCLEX%C2%AE_Question_is%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>The correct answer to today&#8217;s NCLEX\u00ae Question is&#8230;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>D. Urine toxicology screen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong> When substance use is suspected, a blood or urine toxicology test is often performed to identify the substance used. This is the next appropriate test to rule out substance use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Main_Takeaway\"><\/span>Main Takeaway<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diagnosis of substance use disorder begins with the patient\u2019s history and physical assessment.<strong> When substance use is suspected, a blood or urine toxicology test is often performed to identify the substance used. <\/strong>A urine toxicology screen does not diagnose substance use disorder. It only helps identify which substances are present in the patient\u2019s system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Diagnosis of substance use disorder is confirmed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders fifth edition or DSM-5 criteria<\/strong>, which is a set of diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Incorrect_Answer_Explanations\"><\/span>Incorrect Answer Explanations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A. D-Dimer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong> D-dimer will help rule out a blood clot, like a pulmonary embolism; however, it will not assist in diagnosing substance use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>B. Troponin T<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong> Troponin T levels will help to diagnose myocardial infarction but will not help diagnose a substance use disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>C. COVID-19 Antigen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Rationale:<\/strong> COVID-19 antigen may assist with diagnosis of COVID-19 but will not diagnose use of a substance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Want_to_learn_more_about_this_topic\"><\/span>Want to learn more about this topic?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Watch the Osmosis video: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/learn\/Substance_use_disorder_-_Medications_and_illicit_drugs:_Nursing\">Substance use disorder &#8211; Medications and illicit drugs: Nursing<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/rn\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/Blog_Display_Ads_RN1_2023.png?w=700\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/Blog_Display_Ads_RN1_2023.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/03\/Blog_Display_Ads_RN1_2023.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Try <strong>Osmosis from Elsevier<\/strong> today! Access your&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/rn\">free trial<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;to find out why future<\/em> <em><strong>clinicians <\/strong>and <strong>caregivers <\/strong>love <strong>learning by Osmosis<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A patient presents with altered mental status and suspected substance intoxication. Can you identify the most appropriate next diagnostic step in this NCLEX-RN style clinical scenario?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":282,"featured_media":10272,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[20,29,1367,1366,32],"tags":[3165,628,3164,369,886,3163,1674,283,274,245,290,462,220,887,3162],"class_list":["post-10267","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exam-prep","category-nclex","category-nclex-rn","category-questions","category-nursing","tag-addiction-nursing","tag-clinical-judgment","tag-drug-intoxication","tag-emergency-nursing","tag-exam-prep","tag-laboratory-testing","tag-mental-health-nursing","tag-nclex","tag-nursing-assessment","tag-nursing-education","tag-nursing-students","tag-osmosis","tag-patient-evaluation","tag-substance-use-disorder","tag-toxicology-screen"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Altered mental status - Osmosis Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/nclex-question-of-the-day-altered-mental-status\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NCLEX-RN\u00ae Question of the Day: Altered mental status - Osmosis Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A patient presents with altered mental status and suspected substance intoxication. 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