Examination and Disturbance of Orientation (MSE)

1. Overview & Definitions

• Orientation (Dr. Gajdos): "the continuous, correct judgement of the connection between the individual and their outer world." It is the key element of object-consciousness — one of the two pillars of consciousness alongside self-consciousness.
• Orientation is intact only when awareness (vigilance) is intact: you cannot be oriented if you are clouded, somnolent or delirious. Therefore disordered orientation is, first and foremost, a sensorium (organic) sign.
• The four spheres the Debrecen lectures test, in the classic phrasing:
  • Time — "What is the date?" (day, date, month, year, season, time of day).
  • Place / Space —