Visuospatial Abilities Flashcards

The MoCA cube-copying task awards a maximum of how many points?

Answer: 1

The cube-copying item is worth only 1 point on the MoCA.

Which scoring criterion must be met for the cube contour point on the MoCA clock task?

Answer: The circle must be closed and roughly circular with no significant distortion

The contour point requires a closed, roughly circular shape without significant distortion or asymmetry.

A patient correctly alternates 1-A-2-B-3-C-4-D-5-E on the MoCA trail task but lifts the pen between each connection. How is this scored?

Answer: 1 point because the sequence is correct

MoCA scoring for the trail task focuses on sequence accuracy, not whether the pen was lifted; a correct sequence earns 1 point.

Poor performance on the MoCA visuospatial tasks by a patient with normal vision most likely indicates dysfunction in which system?

Answer: The dorsal 'where/how' visual processing stream

Visuospatial construction and navigation depend on the dorsal stream (parieto-occipital), not basic visual perception in V1.

During clock scoring, the 'hands' point on the MoCA requires which two conditions?

Answer: Both hands present, correctly proportioned, and set to the correct time

The hands point requires that both hands are present and correctly indicate the time (10 past 11), with relative length distinguishable.

Which of the following patients would most likely score lowest on MoCA visuospatial items?

Answer: A 65-year-old with early Alzheimer's disease

Early Alzheimer's disease commonly impairs parietal function, directly degrading visuospatial and constructional performance on the MoCA.

On MoCA cube copying, a patient draws 8 lines forming a cube but omits all depth lines making it look flat. How should this be scored?

Answer: 0 points because the 3-D structure is not preserved

The cube must retain its three-dimensional appearance; a flat drawing without depth cues does not meet scoring criteria.