MoCA Naming 4

Question 1

In the MoCA Naming task, what is the primary cognitive domain being assessed when a patient labels pictures of animals?

Accepted Answer

Language and lexical retrieval

Answer

The Naming task specifically targets language function and the ability to retrieve words from long-term semantic memory.

Question 2

A patient correctly identifies the lion and camel on the MoCA but calls the rhinoceros a 'hippo.' How should this be scored?

Accepted Answer

2 out of 3 points

Answer

Each animal is scored independently, so two correct responses earn 2 points even if one is wrong.

Question 3

Which neurological condition most commonly produces anomia (inability to name objects) that would impair MoCA Naming performance?

Accepted Answer

Aphasia due to left hemisphere lesion

Answer

Anomia is most often caused by lesions in left-hemisphere language areas, such as those seen in aphasic syndromes.

Question 4

If a patient says 'that big animal with the horn' instead of 'rhinoceros,' how should the MoCA administrator respond?

Accepted Answer

Mark it incorrect immediately

Answer

The MoCA requires the exact name; circumlocutions (descriptions) do not earn credit and no additional prompting is specified in the standard protocol.

Question 5

Why are low-frequency, less common animals like the rhinoceros and camel chosen for the MoCA Naming task rather than common animals like a dog?

Accepted Answer

To increase sensitivity for detecting mild naming deficits

Answer

Less common animals require more precise lexical retrieval, making the task sensitive to mild word-finding difficulties that a simple, high-frequency item might miss.

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test

(MoCA) Montreal Cognitive Assessment Practice Test

MoCA Naming 4