The nurse is providing instructions to newly hired graduates for the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Which statement best describes this examination?
a. Scores below 30 indicate cognitive impairment.
b. The MMSE is a good tool to evaluate mood and thought processes.
c. This examination is a good tool to detect delirium and dementia and to differentiate these from psychiatric mental illness.
d. The MMSE is useful tool for an initial evaluation of mental status. Additional tools are needed to evaluate cognition changes over time.
ANS: C
The MMSE is a quick, easy test of 11 questions and is used for initial and serial evaluations and can demonstrate a worsening or an improvement of cognition over time and with treatment. It evaluates cognitive functioning, not mood or thought processes. MMSE is a good screening tool to detect dementia and delirium and to differentiate these from psychiatric mental illness.
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