MMSE Evaluation 3

Question 1

Which MMSE subsection specifically evaluates a patient's ability to follow a three-step verbal command?

Accepted Answer

Language — comprehension

Answer

The three-step command ('Take the paper in your right hand, fold it in half, and put it on the floor') is part of the Language subsection assessing comprehension.

Question 2

A patient with severe aphasia attempts the MMSE. Which aspect of standard evaluation is most compromised?

Accepted Answer

Virtually all verbal response items, making the score unreliable

Answer

Severe aphasia impairs verbal communication across most MMSE items, making the standard score an unreliable measure of cognitive status for aphasic patients.

Question 3

What does a score of 10-19 on the MMSE most commonly indicate?

Accepted Answer

Moderate dementia

Answer

MMSE scores of 10-19 are generally classified as moderate dementia, indicating significant but not total loss of cognitive function.

Question 4

During MMSE evaluation, a patient is asked to spell 'WORLD' backwards. The patient spells 'DLROW' — what is their score for this item?

Accepted Answer

5 points

Answer

Spelling WORLD backwards correctly as DLROW earns the full 5 points for the attention and calculation subsection when the serial 7s alternative is not used.

Question 5

Why is it important to document the specific conditions under which an MMSE was administered?

Accepted Answer

To enable valid score comparisons across time and examiners

Answer

Documenting conditions (time of day, presence of pain, visual aids used, etc.) ensures that serial scores are comparable and changes reflect true cognitive change.

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

MMSE Evaluation 3