MMSE Following a 3-Stage Command 5

Question 1

If a patient has a right-hand motor deficit (e.g., stroke), how should the examiner handle the instruction to 'take the paper in your right hand'?

Accepted Answer

Allow the patient to use the left hand and give full credit if other stages are completed

Answer

Clinical best practice allows accommodation for physical disabilities; the spirit of the task is command comprehension, and credit is given if the patient understands and executes the remaining steps.

Question 2

Which of the following patients would MOST likely score 3/3 on the 3-stage command despite significant cognitive impairment?

Accepted Answer

A patient with mild depression and intact language

Answer

Mild depression with intact language and working memory would preserve command-following ability, while the other conditions directly impair the required cognitive mechanisms.

Question 3

In the context of MMSE scoring norms, a score of 1/3 on the 3-stage command is most consistent with what stage of cognitive impairment?

Accepted Answer

Moderate dementia

Answer

Completing only one of three stages typically indicates moderate impairment of working memory and executive function, consistent with moderate dementia.

Question 4

The 3-stage command was introduced in the MMSE to assess which aspect of language that simple naming tasks cannot evaluate?

Accepted Answer

Comprehension of complex sequential verbal instructions

Answer

Naming tasks assess word retrieval, while the 3-stage command specifically evaluates whether patients can comprehend and act upon multi-step verbal instructions.

Question 5

A caregiver reports that the patient follows simple 1-step instructions at home but struggles with preparing meals. Which MMSE finding would best correlate with this observation?

Accepted Answer

Score of 0-1/3 on the 3-stage command

Answer

Failing multi-step commands on the MMSE correlates with inability to sequence complex daily activities like meal preparation, which require multi-step planning and execution.

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test

MMSE Following a 3-Stage Command 5