The goal of this study is to analyse the mental state and cognitive alterations presented by outpatients starting ambulatory care after severe traumatic brain injury. During 1 year, consecutively, 87 patients were attended in first medical an nursing consultation. Mini-mental State exam (MMS) were applied to 80 of them. The average number of days between the injury and MMS application was 74 days. We used 23 score or less as a cutoff point. 35% of the patients showed less than the 23 score. When we compared the patient with 23 or less MMS score, the groups of patients whose studies were lower than or up to the 4th grade of elementary school, the relationship was found to be 2:1. The statistical testes (Chi-square and Yule) showed a strong negative association between the score equal or higher than 24 and an education worse than the 4th grade (Q= -0,9). The item disturbed less even in the 23 or less MMS score patients, was the registration. The other itens: orientation, attention and calculation, recall and language were disturbed in all patients in different proportions. In regard to nursing interventions derived from cognitive alteration nursing diagnosis, we believe that besides special attention for the patient it is necessary to notify the family about the patient's disturbances and how to care of them during convalescence period.
Cognitive disfunction; Mental State; Head injury