MACE Concussion Assessment & Screening — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the MACE 2 (Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2)?
- A standardized screening tool used by military medical personnel to assess cognitive function and identify potential mild traumatic brain injury in service members (Correct answer)
- A military fitness test
- A weapon qualification assessment
- A combat readiness evaluation
Correct answer: A standardized screening tool used by military medical personnel to assess cognitive function and identify potential mild traumatic brain injury in service members
The MACE 2 is a validated, field-deployable screening instrument that evaluates cognitive domains affected by concussion, including orientation, immediate memory, neurological screening, concentration, and delayed recall.
Question 2: What are the four cognitive subtests of the MACE?
- Orientation, immediate memory, concentration, and delayed recall (Correct answer)
- Vision, hearing, balance, and coordination
- Running, swimming, marching, and shooting
- Reading, writing, arithmetic, and spelling
Correct answer: Orientation, immediate memory, concentration, and delayed recall
The MACE evaluates: Orientation (time, place, situation), Immediate Memory (word list recall), Concentration (reverse digits and months backward), and Delayed Recall (previously learned word list after a delay).
Question 3: What is the maximum score on the MACE cognitive assessment?
- 30 points (Correct answer)
- 100 points
- 50 points
- 10 points
Correct answer: 30 points
The MACE cognitive assessment has a maximum score of 30 points distributed across its four subtests. A score below 25 suggests potential concussion requiring further evaluation, though clinical judgment is essential.
Question 4: When should the MACE be administered after a potential concussive event?
- As soon as possible after the event, ideally within the first 24 hours, and before the service member returns to duty (Correct answer)
- Only after 7 days have passed
- Only during annual physical examinations
- Only when the service member requests it
Correct answer: As soon as possible after the event, ideally within the first 24 hours, and before the service member returns to duty
Early administration of the MACE captures the acute cognitive effects of concussion. The initial assessment serves as a baseline against which subsequent assessments can be compared to track recovery.
Question 5: What events should trigger a MACE assessment in military settings?
- Exposure to blast, vehicle rollover/crash, fall, direct impact to the head, or any event where altered consciousness is suspected (Correct answer)
- Only direct hits to the head
- Only loss of consciousness events
- Only during combat
Correct answer: Exposure to blast, vehicle rollover/crash, fall, direct impact to the head, or any event where altered consciousness is suspected
The MACE should be administered after any potentially concussive event including blast exposure (even without direct head impact), vehicular incidents, falls, collisions, and any situation where altered mental status is observed.
Question 6: What does the neurological screening portion of the MACE evaluate?
- Pupil response, speech fluency, grip strength, and balance/gait abnormalities (Correct answer)
- Only blood pressure and heart rate
- Only vision
- Only hearing
Correct answer: Pupil response, speech fluency, grip strength, and balance/gait abnormalities
The neurological screening checks for 'red flags' requiring immediate medical evacuation: unequal pupils, speech difficulties, grip strength asymmetry, and balance problems that may indicate more severe brain injury.
MACE Concussion Assessment & Screening
What is the MACE 2 (Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2)?