Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

What does a score of 30 on the MMSE indicate?

1. Severe impairment

2. Moderate impairment

3. 100% recall

4. Mild cognitive impairment

The correct answer is: 100% recall

A score of 30 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) signifies that an individual has achieved a perfect score, which is indicative of 100% cognitive function and recall at the time of testing. The MMSE assesses various cognitive skills, including orientation, attention, calculation, recall, language, and the ability to follow simple commands. Each correct answer contributes to the total score, with 30 being the highest possible score. This score suggests that the person has no observable cognitive deficits and can demonstrate adequate executive function and memory capacity. Therefore, a score of 30 assures that the individual does not exhibit signs of cognitive impairment, making it a clear indicator of normal cognitive functioning.