Source anchor
CMS MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.20.1 is the governed baseline currently attached to this lookup item.
Error message
MDS Lookup
Short-term Memory OK
Item Rationale
Matrix review
7 matrix group(s) are already attached for review on this item.
Answer coverage
2 governed answer row(s) are attached for this item.
Answer Codes
Code 0
Memory OK
if the resident recalled information after 5 minutes.
Code 1
Memory problem
if the most representative level of function shows the absence of recall after 5 minutes.
What this item is
Item Rationale
When to use it
Use this item when the facility is completing content tied to Section C and needs to stay anchored to v1.20.1.
Reminders
- Current source status: Published.
- Item locator: Manual page C-21
- CMS exact locator: Manual page C-21
- This item has 2 governed answer row(s) attached.
Source awareness
This page is grounded in CMS MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.20.1. Review the exact text and locators before treating the item as final reference content.
Source & Review
Manual
CMS MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.20.1
Status
Published
Effective start
2025-10-01
Item locator
Manual page C-21
CMS exact locator
Manual page C-21
Full CMS Text
Item Rationale
Health-related Quality of Life
To assess the mental state of residents who cannot be interviewed, an intact 5-minute recall (“short-term memory OK”) indicates greater likelihood of normal cognition. An observed “memory problem” should be taken into consideration in Planning for Care.
Planning for Care
Identified memory problems typically indicate the need for: — Assessment and treatment of an underlying related medical problem (particularly if this is a new observation) or adverse medication effect, or — possible evaluation for other problems with thinking — additional nursing support — at times frequent prompting during daily activities — additional support during recreational activities.
Steps for Assessment
1. Determine the resident’s short-term memory status by asking them:
to describe an event 5 minutes after it occurred if you can validate the resident’s response, or to follow through on a direction given 5 minutes earlier.
2. Observe how often the resident has to be re-oriented to an activity or instructions.
3. Staff members also should observe the resident’s cognitive function in varied daily activities.
4. Observations should be made by staff across all shifts and departments and others with close
contact with the resident.
5. Ask direct care staff across all shifts and family or significant others about the resident’s
short-term memory status.
6. Review the medical record for clues to the resident’s short-term memory during the look-
back period.
Coding Instructions
Based on all information collected regarding the resident’s short-term memory during the 7-day look-back period, identify and code according to the most representative level of function.
Code 0, memory OK: if the resident recalled information after 5 minutes.
Code 1, memory problem: if the most representative level of function shows the
absence of recall after 5 minutes.
Coding Tips
If the test cannot be conducted (resident will not cooperate, is non-responsive, etc.) and staff members were unable to make a determination based on observing the resident, use the standard “no information” code (a dash, “-”) to indicate that the information is not available because it could not be assessed. Example 1. A resident has just returned from the activities room where they and other residents were playing bingo. You ask them if they enjoyed themself playing bingo, but they return a blank stare. When you ask them if they were just playing bingo, they say, “no.” Code 1, memory problem.
Coding: C0700, would be coded 1, memory problem.
Rationale: The resident could not recall an event that took place within the past 5 minutes.
Matrix Applicability
Nursing Home Subsets
NC - Comprehensive
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
NQ - Quarterly
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
ND - Discharge
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
NP - PPS 5 Day
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
Program and Policy Use
Care Area Triggers
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
NHQI Quality Measures
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
PDPM
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
Swing Bed Subsets
SP - PPS 5 Day
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
SD - Discharge
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
Shared NH/SB Subsets
IPA - Interim Payment
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
OBRA Stand Alone Assessments
OBRA Admission A=01, B=99, F=99, G=^, H=0
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
OBRA Quarterly A=02, B=99, F=99, G=^, H=0
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
OBRA Annual / Sig Chg A=03, B=99, F=99, G=^, H=0 A= 04, B=99, F=99, G=^, H=0
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
OBRA Discharge A=99, B=99, F=10, 11, G=1, 2, H=0
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
D/C Items (Only when A0310F = 10 or 11)
A0310G=1 PDC
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
A0310G=2 UPD
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
Item Subset Required Use ISC Skip Patterns
PDPM (A0310B = 01 or 08)
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4