Lecture 9: Mental Status and Cognitive Assessments

Question 1

What 4 factors can affect performance on a cognitive assessment?

Answer 1

• Prior educational level
• Primary language other than english
• Severely impaired hearing
• Poor baseline intellectual function

Question 2

What does the minicog assessment measure?

Answer 2

• Memory: 3-item recall (0-3)
• Executive function: clock draw (0 or 2)

< 3 points = abnormal and need for further testing

Question 3

What is the one-word semantic test?

Answer 3

Name as many items as possible in a category in 60s.

Question 4

What does the mini mental status examination measure?

Answer 4

• Orientation
• Object registration
• Attention and calculation
• Object recall (memory)
• Language and praxis

Question 5

What is an abnormal MMSE score?

Answer 5

< 24

Question 6

What is the SLUMS?

Answer 6

St. Louis University Mental Status Exam

MCI and dementia screening

Time-consuming but more sensitive

Question 7

What makes up SLUMS?

Answer 7

• 1-3: Attention, immediate recall, orientation
• 4, 7: Delayed recall
• 5: Calcuation
• 6: memory using semantic fluency
• 8: digit span
• 9: visual spatial
• 10: executive function
• 11: executive function with extrapolation

Scoring adjusts based on education level as well.

Question 8

What is the MoCA usually used for?

Answer 8

MCI only