Questions Used to Monitor Cognitive Decline
BIMS stands for Brief Interview for Mental Status.
A BIMS score can range from 0 to 15, with lower scores indicating a decline in cognitive performance.
This article explains how the BIMS test works.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Verywell / Laura Porter
Components of the BIMS Test
There are three sections in the BIMS assessment.
The first section of the BIMS assesses immediate recall.
The second section of the BIMS assessesorientation.
The third section of the BIMS assessesshort-term memory.
The test taker is given 1 point for this section.
They correctly identify the year and are awarded 3 points.
The test taker incorrectly identifies the month and is awarded 1 point.
They correctly identify the day of the week and are awarded 1 point.
In total, the test taker gets 5 points for this section.
Short-Term Memory Test
The short-term memory test offers a maximum of 6 points.
They can recall all three words, but only with cues.
The test taker is awarded 3 points for this section, bringing their total BIMS score to 9 points.
While the BIMS is not used to diagnosedementia, it can help identify changes in cognition over time.
Significant deterioration of a BIMS score may trigger other, morecomprehensive evaluationsfor dementia.
The BIMS score can also help identify some basic needs of the person.
Other methods for predicting cognitive stages are also available.
Moreover, it allows caregivers to know when it is time for more active intervention.
A sudden decline in the BIMS score could help point out a condition such asdelirium.
Delirium sometimes develops frominfections, includingurinary tract infectionsand pneumonia.
Prompt identification and treatment can often partially or fully restore cognitive functioning to its level prior to the delirium.
The assessment involves three sections with the ultimate purpose of testing short-term word recall and orientation in time.
Test scores range from 0, suggesting severe cognitive impairment, to 15, suggesting intact cognition.
The BIMS tests some areas of cognition, but not all.
Nonetheless, it is a valuable tool for healthcare providers to identify and treat changes in mental abilities.
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