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MMSE Validity and Limitations Flashcards

7 cards from real MMSE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What is the maximum possible score on the MMSE?

    Answer: 30

    The MMSE has a total of 30 points distributed across all cognitive domains, including orientation, registration, attention, recall, and language.

  2. Which demographic factor most significantly influences MMSE scores and can lead to false-positive results for cognitive impairment?

    Answer: Education level

    Lower education levels are strongly associated with lower MMSE scores independent of true cognitive impairment, making education a critical confounder.

  3. The MMSE was originally developed and published by Folstein, Folstein, and McHugh in which year?

    Answer: 1975

    Folstein, Folstein, and McHugh published the original MMSE in 1975 in the Journal of Psychiatric Research as a brief bedside cognitive screening tool.

  4. Which cognitive domain is LEAST represented in the standard MMSE, representing a significant limitation?

    Answer: Executive function

    Executive function (planning, abstract reasoning, cognitive flexibility) is minimally assessed in the MMSE, making it less sensitive to frontal lobe pathology.

  5. What sensitivity does the MMSE generally demonstrate for detecting moderate-to-severe dementia?

    Answer: 70–90%

    The MMSE typically achieves 70–90% sensitivity for detecting moderate-to-severe dementia, though sensitivity decreases substantially for mild cognitive impairment.

  6. What is the test-retest reliability of the MMSE generally reported as?

    Answer: Good (r = 0.80–0.95)

    Studies consistently demonstrate good test-retest reliability for the MMSE, with correlation coefficients typically ranging from 0.80 to 0.95.

  7. Which population is MOST likely to be misclassified as cognitively impaired by the MMSE when they are not?

    Answer: Elderly individuals with low education

    Elderly individuals with low formal education may score below the standard cutoff on the MMSE despite intact cognition, leading to false-positive screening results.