Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) Practice

What should a nurse assess to determine if a client’s short-term memory is functioning?

1. Asking the client to recall a past event from long ago

2. Asking the client to remember medication instructions given moments ago

3. Asking the client about their childhood constantly

4. Asking the client to repeat familiar stories

The correct answer is: Asking the client to remember medication instructions given moments ago

To assess a client's short-term memory, asking the client to remember medication instructions that were provided just moments ago is particularly effective. Short-term memory involves the ability to retain information over brief periods, typically seconds to minutes. By requesting immediate recall of recent instructions, the nurse can gauge whether the client can hold onto and retrieve information that was just presented. This approach focuses on the most relevant timeframe for short-term memory, contrasting with inquiries about past events or childhood experiences, which pertain more to long-term memory. In this case, the emphasis is on the client’s ability to grasp and repeat information communicated shortly before — a direct measure of their short-term memory function.