AAC Cognitive Assessment & Screening 3

Question 1

Which of the following best explains why depression can complicate cognitive screening results?

Accepted Answer

Depression can cause pseudodementia, producing cognitive test scores that mimic dementia

Answer

Depression can cause pseudodementia — a reversible cognitive impairment — making it essential to assess mood before interpreting low cognitive screening scores.

Question 2

The Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) is most commonly used in:

Accepted Answer

Clinical trials to measure treatment response

Answer

The ADAS-Cog is the standard outcome measure in Alzheimer's clinical trials because it is sensitive to change over time across multiple cognitive domains.

Question 3

A caregiver reports that their mother was doing well on last year's MMSE but scored 4 points lower this year. What does this change most suggest?

Accepted Answer

Clinically significant cognitive decline

Answer

A 4-point decline on the MMSE over one year exceeds normal aging variation and typically signals meaningful clinical deterioration.

Question 4

Which cognitive domain is typically FIRST affected in typical Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Episodic memory

Answer

Episodic memory — particularly the ability to encode and recall new information — is classically the first domain impaired in typical Alzheimer's disease.

Question 5

When using the MMSE, which item directly tests ORIENTATION to place?

Accepted Answer

What state/county/town are we in?

Answer

The MMSE includes five place orientation questions asking about country, state, city, building, and floor.

(AAC) Alzheimer's Association Certification Practice Test

(AAC) Alzheimer's Association Certification Practice Test

AAC Cognitive Assessment & Screening 3