It is not always easy to make an exact diagnosis of altered mental status because it is usually associated with other conditions. Although physical assessments are essential to differentiating between the several causes of altered mental status, there are some definite causes of altered mental status. It is very common for the healthcare provider to encounter patient with the diagnosis of altered mental status. Altered mental status can mean different thing to different age group. In the elderly patient altered mental status may be associated with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or stroke while polypharmacy, intoxication or substance abuse are usually suspected when altered mental status is seen in the young adults. Other differential diagnoses
