Visuospatial Abilities Flashcards

In the MoCA clock-drawing task, what is the maximum score a patient can earn?

Answer: 3 points

The clock-drawing task is scored out of 3 points: 1 for contour, 1 for numbers, and 1 for hands.

A patient draws a clock with all 12 numbers but places the hands at 11 and 10 instead of 11 and 2. Which scoring element is lost?

Answer: Hands point

The hands point is lost when the hands are not correctly set to the instructed time (10 past 11).

On the MoCA cube-copying task, which error would cause the examiner to score 0?

Answer: Missing a back corner of the cube

A missing corner or incorrect three-dimensional structure results in a score of 0 for the cube copy.

Which cognitive domain does the trail-making portion of the MoCA (alternating number-letter sequence) primarily assess alongside visuospatial skills?

Answer: Executive function

The alternating trail makes a task taps both visuospatial scanning and executive function (set-shifting).

A patient correctly draws a clock contour and places all numbers but omits the minute hand entirely. What is their clock score?

Answer: 1

They earn 1 point for contour and 1 for numbers, but the hands point requires both hands to be present and correctly placed.

During cube copying, a patient reproduces a figure with 4 visible faces instead of 3. What does this suggest?

Answer: Difficulty representing 3-D depth on a 2-D surface

Adding extra faces indicates trouble projecting a three-dimensional object onto a two-dimensional plane.

The MoCA visuospatial battery is considered sensitive for detecting early deficits associated with which condition?

Answer: Alzheimer's disease and other dementias

Visuospatial tasks on the MoCA are particularly sensitive to early cortical changes seen in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.