MMSE Registration of Words 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How does the registration task differ from the delayed recall task later in the MMSE?
- Registration tests recognition, delayed recall tests repetition
- Registration occurs immediately after the words are presented; delayed recall occurs after intervening tasks (Correct answer)
- Registration uses 5 words; delayed recall uses 3
- Registration is optional; delayed recall is mandatory
Correct answer: Registration occurs immediately after the words are presented; delayed recall occurs after intervening tasks
Registration requires immediate repetition right after presentation, while delayed recall asks for the same words after several minutes of intervening cognitive tasks.
Question 2: A 78-year-old patient scores 3/3 on registration but 0/3 on delayed recall. Which condition is this pattern MOST consistent with?
- Delirium with fluctuating attention
- Amnestic disorder with intact immediate memory but impaired consolidation (Correct answer)
- Severe depression with psychomotor retardation
- Frontotemporal dementia with executive dysfunction
Correct answer: Amnestic disorder with intact immediate memory but impaired consolidation
A normal registration score with markedly impaired delayed recall is the classic pattern of an amnestic disorder, such as that seen in Alzheimer's disease, reflecting a consolidation deficit.
Question 3: Which of the following is NOT an appropriate word to use for MMSE registration?
- Apple
- Penny
- Table
- Antidisestablishmentarianism (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Antidisestablishmentarianism
Registration words should be simple, common, and easily pronounced; a very long, complex word would introduce a phonological barrier unrelated to memory.
Question 4: If a patient repeats a word that was not presented (an intrusion error) during registration, how should the examiner handle this?
- Credit the response if it is semantically similar
- Do not credit the intrusion; only exact target words are scored (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to repeat all three words again from scratch
- End the registration section with a score of 0
Correct answer: Do not credit the intrusion; only exact target words are scored
Intrusion errors are not credited; only the exact three words presented by the examiner are scored.
Question 5: A bilingual patient asks to repeat the registration words in their stronger language. What is the recommended approach?
- Refuse and insist on English only
- Allow it if it does not compromise the standardized administration, and note it in the record (Correct answer)
- Automatically subtract one point per translated word
- Administer the entire MMSE in both languages simultaneously
Correct answer: Allow it if it does not compromise the standardized administration, and note it in the record
Accommodating language preference can reduce linguistic barriers while maintaining test validity, but any deviations should be documented.
Question 6: The registration section contributes how many points to the total MMSE score of 30?
- 1
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 5
- 10
Correct answer: 3
Registration contributes a maximum of 3 points out of the total 30-point MMSE scale.
Question 7: Why is registration typically administered near the beginning of the MMSE rather than at the end?
- To give the patient time to become fatigued before the harder tasks
- So the words can be introduced early, allowing sufficient delay before the recall task (Correct answer)
- Because it requires the most concentration and patients are freshest at the start
- To comply with the alphabetical ordering of cognitive domains
Correct answer: So the words can be introduced early, allowing sufficient delay before the recall task
Placing registration early ensures that enough intervening tasks occur before the delayed recall section, creating a genuine memory delay.
MMSE Registration of Words 4
How does the registration task differ from the delayed recall task later in the MMSE?