MMSE Recall of Words 2

Question 1

During MMSE word recall, what is the maximum score a patient can earn?

Accepted Answer

3 points

Answer

The recall section awards 1 point per word, and 3 words are used, making the maximum score 3.

Question 2

A patient recalls 2 of the 3 words after the delay. Which statement is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The patient scores 2 out of 3 on recall

Answer

Each correctly recalled word earns 1 point independently, so recalling 2 words yields a score of 2.

Question 3

Which cognitive domain is primarily assessed by the MMSE word recall task?

Accepted Answer

Short-term memory

Answer

Asking the patient to remember and later retrieve three words tests short-term (recent) memory.

Question 4

Why are distracting tasks (orientation and calculation) administered between registration and recall on the MMSE?

Accepted Answer

To prevent simple repetition and test true retention

Answer

The intervening tasks prevent the patient from simply holding the words in working memory through rehearsal, testing actual encoding and retrieval.

Question 5

A patient with severe anterograde amnesia is likely to score how on MMSE word recall?

Accepted Answer

0 out of 3

Answer

Severe anterograde amnesia impairs the ability to form new memories, so no words are likely to be recalled.

MMSE - Mini-Mental State Examination Practice Test