Question

an older adult is admitted for altered cognition. the spouse indicates the client has becoming more forgetful over time. the nurse assesses the client's cognition using the mini-cog. the client is able to draw a clock correctly but is unable to recall the three words given at the beginning of the assessment. what do the results suggest to the nurse?

Answer 1

The inability of the patient to recall three words in the Mini-Cog test suggests cognitive impairment, specifically in short-term memory, which could indicate early signs of dementia or other cognitive decline. Further examination and consideration of daily functional abilities and environmental factors are necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The results of the Mini-Cog assessment, in which the older adult patient could draw a clock correctly but was unable to recall the three words given at the beginning of the assessment, suggest to the nurse that there may be some level of cognitive impairment. The clock drawing test checks for visual-spatial ability and executive function, which seemed intact, but the inability to recall the three words indicates a problem with short-term memory. This could be an early sign of dementia or another form of cognitive decline. Memory exercises like reciting months in reverse or lists of numbers can further assess memory and cognitive function. However, it is essential for the healthcare provider to conduct further examinations and consider other factors such as the patient's ability to carry out daily tasks, mood changes, and environmental or nutritional factors which could impact cognitive health.