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Printed on 4/21/2026
For informational purposes only. This is not medical advice.
The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), also known as Pfeiffer's questionnaire, is a brief cognitive screen based on number of errors across orientation and calculation-type items. It is commonly interpreted with education-adjusted error thresholds.
Formula: SPMSQ is interpreted by total error count (0-10), with optional education-based adjustment.
SPMSQ has long-standing validation as a short geriatric cognitive screening instrument and has been studied in both dementia and delirium contexts.
Higher SPMSQ error counts indicate greater cognitive impairment signal and support deeper assessment.
Use for quick cognitive triage in older-adult settings where a brief error-count format is preferred.
Interpretation should account for education/language context and possible acute delirium effects.
Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.
Rapid delirium screening tool scored 0-12; scores of 4 or more suggest possible delirium.
GeriatricsRapid cognitive screening with the Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT), weighted score range 0-28.
GeriatricsBrief weighted orientation-memory-concentration cognitive screen scored 0-28.
GeriatricsScreen for delirium using the CAM (Confusion Assessment Method). Gold standard with ~94% sensitivity and ~89% specificity. Requires acute onset + inattention, plus disorganized thinking or altered consciousness.