attention assessment

Pathology

• delirium: attention will fluctuate
• dementia: attention generally not affected until severe

Indications

• assessment of inattention

Clinical significance

• a test of the ability to focus, maintain, selectively shift mental activity, in context of alertness, level of arousal &/or level of consciousness.

Procedure

• assessment may include digit span, tests of vigilance, freedom from distraction & complex attention (reverse seqeunces, arithmetic operations)
• useful bedside tests
  • A test
  • digit span, 5 forward, 4 backward
  • 'World' backward
  • reciting months of the year or days of the week forward & backward
  • days of the week backward
  • Trail-Making test part B

Notes

• see inattention (Clinical manifestations:)
• orientation & clock-drawing tests test for cognitive impairment but not specifically inattention

More general terms

• cognitive assessment

More specific terms

• attention screening examination
• continuous performance task
• continuous performance test; vigilance 'A' test
• digit span
• Go-No Go test
• trailmaking test

Additional terms

• attention