Mental State Assessment

Question 1

what is the mini mental state examination used for

Answer 1

a set of questions used for screening cognitive function - it is not used to make a diagnosis but indicates the presence of cognitive impairment

Question 2

What are the benefits of the MMSE - 3

Answer 2

• only takes 10 minutes
• has been validated by a number of populations
• can provide a method of monitoring deterioration

Question 3

What are the downsides to the MMSE - 3

Answer 3

• wont detect very subtle memory loss especially in well educated patients
• biased against people with poor eduction
• bias against the visually impaired

Question 4

What do the results of the MMSE mean

Answer 4

Scores out of 30
25-30 - normal
21-24 - mild impairment
10-20 - moderate impairment
below 10 - severe impairment

Question 5

What are the 6 sections of the MMSE

Answer 5

• orientation (what date, where they are ect)
• registration
• attention and calculation
• recall
• language
• copying

Question 6

What is the GPCOG test

Answer 6

General practitioner assessment of cognition test - used as a screening tool for dementia

Question 7

What are the two components of the GPCOG

Answer 7

firstly, a cognitive assessment conducted with the pt
then an informal questionnaire, which is only done if the results of the cognitive assessment are abnormal

Question 8

what do results of GPCOG mean

Answer 8

• for the cognitive assessment 5-8 indicates cogintive impairment
• for the questionnaire, 3 or less indicates cognitive impairment