MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Reading and Writing Tasks Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient is given a piece of paper with "CLOSE YOUR EYES" written on it and is instructed to read it and do what it says. The patient reads the phrase aloud correctly but makes no motion to close their eyes. How should the examiner score this response?

Accepted Answer

0 points, because the point is awarded for performing the commanded action.

Answer

The score for the reading task is awarded based on the patient's ability to comprehend and follow the written command, not simply to read it aloud. The action of closing the eyes is what demonstrates comprehension, so failure to perform the action results in a score of 0.

Question 2

When administering the writing task, an examiner asks the patient to write any complete sentence. The patient writes, "weather is nice". Which of the following is the correct score and rationale?

Accepted Answer

1 point, because the sentence contains a subject and a verb and is sensible.

Answer

A score of 1 is awarded if the patient writes a spontaneous sentence that contains a subject ('weather') and a verb ('is') and is sensible. Scoring is not dependent on correct capitalization, punctuation, or spelling.

Question 3

Which of the following patient responses to the command to "Write any complete sentence" would be scored as 1 point?

Accepted Answer

"it is cold"

Answer

The response "it is cold" is a complete, sensible sentence containing a subject ('it') and a verb ('is'). A signature is not a sentence. "Going to the store" is a phrase lacking a subject. "For my family" is a prepositional phrase, not a complete sentence.

Question 4

During the visuoconstruction task, a patient is asked to copy two intersecting pentagons. The patient draws two five-sided figures that are perfectly formed, but they are placed next to each other on the page and do not intersect. What is the correct score?

Accepted Answer

0 points, because the figures must intersect to receive credit.

Answer

To receive a point for the copying task, the patient's drawing must meet two criteria: both figures must have five sides (for a total of ten angles), and the two figures must intersect. Failure to meet both of these criteria results in a score of 0.

Question 5

The MMSE task that requires a patient to write a spontaneous sentence primarily assesses which of the following cognitive abilities?

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous language production and executive function

Answer

This task requires the patient to formulate a thought and express it in written language, which involves spontaneous language production. It also taps into executive functions, as the patient must organize their thoughts into a grammatically coherent structure (subject-verb). While fine motor skills are used, they are not the primary function being assessed.

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Reading and Writing Tasks Questions and Answers