MMSE Attention and Calculation 3

Question 1

The sequence 93 → 86 → 79 → 72 → 65 represents which MMSE task performed correctly?

Accepted Answer

Serial 7 subtractions from 100

Answer

This sequence shows five correct serial subtractions of 7 starting from 100, the standard MMSE attention task.

Question 2

A clinician notes that a patient's serial 7s performance may be confounded by poor arithmetic education. What is the MOST appropriate response?

Accepted Answer

Administer the WORLD backward spelling alternative and note the substitution

Answer

The MMSE allows substituting 'WORLD' backward for serial 7s, and the examiner should document which task was used.

Question 3

Which response to the serial 7s task would earn a score of 0?

Accepted Answer

The patient refuses to attempt the task

Answer

Refusing to attempt the task results in 0 points because no subtraction steps are completed or credited.

Question 4

What does a perfect score on the MMSE Attention and Calculation subsection indicate?

Accepted Answer

The patient correctly performed all five serial 7 subtractions

Answer

A perfect subsection score of 5 means the patient correctly subtracted 7 five consecutive times starting from 100.

Question 5

A 78-year-old patient with an eighth-grade education scores 2/5 on serial 7s. Which interpretation is MOST appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Limited education may contribute to the low score, and context must be considered

Answer

Serial 7s performance is influenced by educational background, so low scores must be interpreted in the context of the patient's history.

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test