Source anchor
CMS MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.20.1 is the governed baseline currently attached to this lookup item.
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MDS Lookup
Memory/Recall Ability
Item Rationale
Matrix review
6 matrix group(s) are already attached for review on this item.
Answer coverage
3 governed answer row(s) are attached for this item.
Answer Codes
A
Current season
Governed answer row attached.
B
Location of own room
Governed answer row attached.
C
Staff names and faces
Governed answer row attached.
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-24
- CMS exact locator: Manual page C-24
- This item has 3 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-24
CMS exact locator
Manual page C-24
Full CMS Text
Item Rationale
Health-related Quality of Life
An observed “memory/recall problem” with these items may indicate: — cognitive impairment and the need for additional support with reminders to support increased independence; or — delirium, if this represents a change from the resident’s baseline.
Planning for Care
An observed “memory/recall problem” with these items may indicate the need for: — Exclusion 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 signs, directions, pictures, verbal reminders to support the resident’s independence; — an evaluation for acute delirium if this represents a change over the past few days to weeks; — an evaluation for chronic delirium if this represents a change over the past several weeks to months; or — additional nursing support; — the need for emotional support, reminders and reassurance to reduce anxiety and agitation.
Steps for Assessment
1. Ask the resident about each item. For example, “What is the current season? Is it fall, winter,
spring, or summer?” “What is the name of this place?” If the resident is not in their room, ask, “Will you show me to your room?” Observe the resident’s ability to find the way.
2. For residents with limited communication skills, in order to determine the most
representative level of function, ask direct care staff across all shifts and family or significant other about recall ability. Ask whether the resident gave indications of recalling these subjects or recognizing them during the look-back period.
3. Observations should be made by staff across all shifts and departments and others with close
contact with the resident.
4. Review the medical record for indications of the resident’s recall of these subjects during the
look-back period.
Coding Instructions
For each item that the resident recalls, check the corresponding answer box. If the resident recalls none, check none of above. Check C0900A, current season: if resident is able to identify the current season (e.g., correctly refers to weather for the time of year, legal holidays, religious celebrations, etc.). Check C0900B, location of own room: if resident is able to locate and recognize own room. It is not necessary for the resident to know the room number, but they should be able to find the way to the room. Check C0900C, staff names and faces: if resident is able to distinguish staff members from family members, strangers, visitors, and other residents. It is not necessary for the resident to know the staff member’s name, but they should recognize that the person is a staff member and not the resident’s child, etc. Check C0900D, that they are in a nursing home/hospital swing bed: if resident is able to determine that they are currently living in a nursing home. To check this item, it is not necessary that the resident be able to state the name of the nursing home, but they should be able to refer to the nursing home by a term such as a “home for older people,” a “hospital for the elderly,” “a place where people who need extra help live,” etc. Check C0900Z, none of above was recalled.
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
NP - PPS 5 Day
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
Program and Policy Use
NHQI Quality Measures
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
PDPM
Marker: +
supporting item
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
Administrative (Tech Need / Edits / Processing)
Marker: +
supporting item
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
QRP Quality Measures (Includes risk adjustment)
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
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
QRP PPS 5 Day Admission (A0310B = 01)
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
PDPM (A0310B = 01 or 08)
Marker: +
supporting item
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4