Mixed Deck — All FOLSTEIN Topics Flashcards
100 cards from real FOLSTEIN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 Mixed Deck — All FOLSTEIN Topics flashcards as text
How many points can a patient earn in the Attention and Calculation section?
Answer: 5
A patient can earn a maximum of 5 points in the Attention and Calculation section. This is typically awarded for each correct subtraction in the serial 7s task (up to 5) or for each correctly spelled letter backward in the 'WORLD' task (up to 5), depending on which task is administered.
When compared to comprehensive neuropsychological test batteries, the MMSE is best characterized as:
Answer: A brief screening tool with lower diagnostic precision than full batteries
The MMSE is a brief screening instrument and does not replace comprehensive neuropsychological testing; it trades thoroughness for brevity and ease of administration.
What distinguishes the registration score from the recall score on the MMSE?
Answer: Registration is immediate repetition; recall is delayed memory
Registration captures immediate repetition right after presentation, while recall measures retention after an intervening delay.
The construction task in the MMSE is also commonly referred to by what name?
Answer: Pentagon copying
The MMSE construction task is standardly called the pentagon copying task, named after the five-sided figures being reproduced.
How should MMSE responses be recorded by the examiner?
Answer: Verbatim during administration on a standardized form
Responses should be recorded verbatim on a standardized scoring form during administration to ensure accurate and consistent scoring.
If a patient draws two quadrilaterals instead of pentagons on the MMSE, what is the score?
Answer: 0
If the shapes drawn do not have five sides, the construction task is scored 0 regardless of how well they intersect.
How is the MMSE used to track cognitive changes over time?
Answer: By comparing scores from repeated tests
The MMSE is a valuable tool for tracking cognitive changes over time by administering the test repeatedly at regular intervals. Comparing scores from successive tests allows clinicians to monitor the progression of cognitive decline, assess the stability of cognitive function, or evaluate the effectiveness of treatments or interventions.
What is NOT required for a correct score on the MMSE writing task?
Answer: Correct spelling
Spelling errors do not disqualify the sentence; the writing task only requires a subject, verb, and a meaningful complete sentence.
What type of environment is recommended for MMSE administration?
Answer: Quiet, private setting with minimal distractions
A quiet, private environment reduces distractions that could artificially lower scores by interfering with attention and concentration.
The MMSE is primarily used as a screening tool for which condition?
Answer: Cognitive impairment and dementia
The MMSE was designed and is most widely used to screen for and track cognitive impairment and dementia.
A decline of 3 to 4 points on serial MMSE testing is generally considered clinically significant because it suggests what?
Answer: Meaningful cognitive deterioration beyond expected change
A drop of 3–4 points on repeat MMSE testing exceeds expected test-retest variability and suggests true cognitive decline.
What type of words are traditionally used in the MMSE registration task?
Answer: Unrelated common nouns
Three semantically unrelated common nouns (e.g., apple, penny, table) are used to prevent clustering strategies.
The reported sensitivity of the MMSE for detecting Alzheimer's disease at a standard cutoff is approximately:
Answer: 85–90%
Meta-analyses report MMSE sensitivity for Alzheimer's detection at approximately 85–90% when using the standard ≤23 cutoff in clinical samples.
How should the examiner respond if a patient asks for an MMSE item to be repeated?
Answer: Follow standardized guidelines for each item — registration words may be repeated up to 5 times; other items generally once
Standardized procedures specify how often each item can be repeated; registration words may be repeated up to five times for learning, while most other items allow at most one repetition.
What aspect does the question “Where are we now?” evaluate in the MMSE?
Answer: Orientation to place
The question 'Where are we now?' specifically evaluates a patient's orientation to place. This assesses their awareness of their physical location, such as the name of the hospital, clinic, city, or state they are currently in. It helps determine if they are grounded in their present environment.
What cognitive domain does the intersecting pentagon task primarily assess?
Answer: Visuospatial construction
Copying the intersecting pentagons tests visuospatial processing and constructional ability.
What does a registration score of 0 indicate?
Answer: The patient learned none of the three words
A registration score of 0 means the patient was unable to repeat any of the three presented words correctly.
Which phrase is used in the MMSE repetition subtest?
Answer: No ifs, ands, or buts
'No ifs, ands, or buts' is the standard repetition phrase in the original Folstein MMSE.
If a patient is physically unable to close their eyes due to paralysis, how should the examiner score the reading item?
Answer: Mark as untestable and exclude from total
Items that cannot be completed due to physical limitations should be marked as untestable rather than scored as failures.
How many points can be earned for correctly following the three-stage command?
Answer: 3
Each of the three steps in the command earns one point, with a maximum of 3 points for the three-stage command.