the perseverance of a memory

funny when kept thinking about it...

i was ask by the medical registrar to do a mini mental state examination on a patient with dementia (memory impairment)

do you know what year is it?

"yes. 1972"

what season?

"yes 1972"

what month?

paused......"1972"

what country are you in?

"australia"

the city?

"australia"

repeat these words after me; 'ball, car, man'

"ball, car, man"

now take away 7 from 100;

"ball, car, man"

do you know what this is? (showing watch)

"yes, watch"

and this (showing pen)

"yes, watch "

ok thank you

do you know why you are here in the hospital?

"yes, watch"

****

in another senario:

do you know why you are here?

"i have problems remembering things"

since when has that been???

=)

• above sign is called perseveration