MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Visuoconstructional Skills Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient is asked to copy the intersecting pentagons on the MMSE.
The patient draws two five-sided figures that are correctly shaped but are placed side-by-side and do not intersect.
How should the examiner score this response?

Accepted Answer

0 points, because the figures must intersect.

Answer

1 point, because both figures have five sides.

Answer

1 point, if the examiner prompts the patient to connect them.

Answer

0 points, unless the patient has a motor tremor.

Question 2

During the MMSE, an examiner administers the three-stage command: 'Take this paper in your right hand, fold it in half, and put it on the floor.' The patient takes the paper in their left hand, correctly folds it in half, and places it on their lap. How many points should be awarded?

Accepted Answer

1 point

Answer

3 points

Answer

2 points

Answer

0 points

Question 3

A patient is given a piece of paper with the phrase '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. What is the correct score?

Accepted Answer

0 points, because the action was not performed.

Answer

1 point, because they demonstrated the ability to read.

Answer

0 points, but the examiner should give a verbal prompt to close their eyes.

Answer

1 point, as long as they read it without errors.

Question 4

When evaluating a patient's response to the 'write a sentence' task, which of the following examples should be scored as correct (1 point)?

Accepted Answer

The patient writes 'it is a nice day'.

Answer

The patient writes their own name and address.

Answer

The patient copies the sentence 'CLOSE YOUR EYES' from the previous task.

Answer

The patient writes the single phrase 'on the table'.

Question 5

The task of copying intersecting pentagons on the MMSE is included primarily to provide a quick assessment of which cognitive domain?

Accepted Answer

Visuoconstructional skill

Answer

Executive functioning

Answer

Abstract reasoning

Answer

Long-term memory

Question 6

A patient is asked to write a sentence of their own choosing. They write, 'I walking home now'. According to standard MMSE scoring guidelines, how should this be scored?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

0 points, because of the grammatical error ('walking' instead of 'am walking').

Answer

0 points, because the sentence is too simple.

Answer

1 point, but only if the examiner corrects the grammar with the patient.