How do you determine that a client is lucid, mentally competent?

St. Louis University Mental Status Exam

There is the St. Louis University Exam and the Mini Mental Status Exam which has been the standard for a long time. Now, a switch to the St. Louis exam is occurring. Don't know why. Google both and you will find them.

There are several tests, but I think the clock face test is the best one. The MD asked mom to draw a clock and put the numbers in the right place. Then he asked her to draw the hands at "ten minutes to eleven" and "seven forty-five" She got both wrong, she set the hands at 10:10 and 4:35.