A 67-Year-Old Retired College Professor Comes to the Office for Evaluation

question 501

Multiple Choice

A 67-year-old retired college professor comes to the office for evaluation of memory loss.  The patient has had intermittent episodes of misplacing objects and forgetting appointments.  He also reports difficulty concentrating.  The patient performs most activities of daily living independently.  He has a history of well-controlled hypertension.  Family history is significant for dementia in his mother.  Vital signs are within normal limits.  Mini-Mental State Examination is administered to screen for cognitive impairment.  Which of the following factors may limit validity of the screening tool in this patient?

• A)Early attention span impairment
• B)Family history of dementia
• C)Higher level of education
• D)Patient's age
• E)Preserved activities of daily living

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Definitions:

Simple Language

The use of clear, straightforward expressions and words for easy understanding.

Technical Language

Specialized vocabulary used by a specific profession or group that may be difficult for others outside the field to understand.

Fasted

Having abstained from all or specific food and drink for a defined period of time, typically for medical or religious reasons.

Blood Test

A medical procedure that involves the testing of a small sample of blood to assess health conditions or detect diseases.