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

To receive one point for copying the design, the patient must draw two five-sided figures (10 angles total) that intersect to form a four-sided figure in the middle. If the figures do not intersect, a crucial part of the task is missing, and the score is zero.

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

The patient receives one point for each correctly executed step of the command. In this scenario, the patient only followed one step correctly: 'fold it in half.' They failed to use the correct hand ('right hand') and failed to place it in the correct location ('on the floor'). Therefore, they earn 1 out of a possible 3 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

The point for this item is awarded for obeying the written command, not simply for reading it aloud. The patient must perform the action (closing their eyes) to demonstrate comprehension and praxis. Since the action was not performed, the score is zero.

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

A score of 1 is given if the sentence is sensible and contains both a subject (e.g., 'it') and a verb (e.g., 'is'). Spelling and grammatical errors are ignored. Writing one's name, copying a sentence, or writing a phrase without a subject and verb does not meet the criteria for a spontaneously generated, complete sentence.

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

Visuoconstructional skill is the ability to perceive a complex object and then recreate it. This task directly tests the integration of visual perception with motor output, which is the core of visuoconstruction. While other domains like attention are involved, this is the primary target of the assessment.

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

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