MMSE Attention and Calculation 5

Question 1

Which brain region is most critically associated with the working memory demands of the serial 7s task?

Accepted Answer

Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Answer

The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex supports working memory and executive control, both essential for serial 7 subtraction.

Question 2

A patient scores 30/30 on the MMSE but took 4 minutes to complete serial 7s. Which statement is MOST accurate?

Accepted Answer

The total score does not capture processing speed, which may still be clinically relevant

Answer

The MMSE does not penalize for speed, so a perfect score can miss processing speed deficits that may indicate early cognitive change.

Question 3

Which scenario MOST accurately reflects a ceiling effect in the MMSE Attention and Calculation section?

Accepted Answer

High-functioning adults consistently score 5/5, masking subtle attention deficits

Answer

Cognitively intact, educated adults easily score 5/5, which means the task cannot detect subtle early deficits in this population.

Question 4

A neuropsychologist administers the MMSE and notes the patient self-corrects from 79 to 79 (no change needed). How should this step be scored?

Accepted Answer

Correct, if 79 was the expected answer at that step

Answer

If the patient's final answer for a step is correct, it is scored as correct regardless of whether a self-correction occurred.

Question 5

During MMSE administration, a patient says '93, 87, 80, 72, 65' for the serial 7s. How many points do they receive?

Accepted Answer

2

Answer

Only 93 and 65 are correct serial subtractions; 87 (not 86), 80 (not 79), and 72 (not 72—wait: 79−7=72, correct) — re-evaluating: 93✓, 87✗, 80✗, 72✓(from 79 expected but patient said 80 prior), 65✓(from 72) = steps scored from patient's prior answer: 93✓, 87 from 93=86✗, 80 from 87=80✓(87−7=80), 72 from 80=73✗, 65 from 72=65✓ → 3 correct steps.

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

MMSE Attention and Calculation 5