Recall Flashcards

What is the main purpose of the Recall section in the MMSE?

Answer: Evaluating short-term memory retention

The main purpose of the Recall section in the MMSE is to evaluate short-term memory retention. This section assesses a patient's ability to encode, store, and retrieve new information after a brief delay. It provides insight into the integrity of memory processes crucial for daily functioning.

What task is used in the MMSE Recall section?

Answer: Naming three unrelated objects and recalling them after a few minutes

The task used in the MMSE Recall section involves naming three unrelated objects (e.g., 'apple', 'table', 'penny') and asking the patient to recall them after a few minutes, following a distraction task. This assesses their ability to retain new information over a short period, testing their short-term memory.

How many points can a patient earn in the Recall section?

Answer: 3

A patient can earn a maximum of 3 points in the Recall section. One point is awarded for each of the three previously named objects that the patient can correctly recall after the delay. This directly measures their short-term memory retention.

What should the examiner do immediately after stating the three objects?

Answer: Ask the patient to repeat the objects immediately

Immediately after stating the three objects, the examiner should ask the patient to repeat the objects. This step ensures that the patient has registered and correctly heard the items, confirming initial encoding before moving on to a distraction task and later recall. It verifies that the information was initially processed.

If a patient recalls only one of the three objects, how is this scored?

Answer: 1 points

If a patient recalls only one of the three objects, this is scored as 1 point. Each correctly recalled object contributes one point to the total score for the Recall section. The scoring is straightforward: 0 points for no recall, 1 point for one object, 2 points for two objects, and 3 points for all three.