Resources and Memory //

NIH Stroke Scale: Interval: {NIHSS interval:17994} Time: {Time; 0100-2400:14903} *** Person Administering Scale: *** 1a. Level of consciousness: {exam; consciousness neuro:31423} 1b. LOC questions: (month; age) *** 0 - answers both questions correctly *** 1 - one question correctly *** 2 - neither question correctly 1c. LOC commands: [open/close eyes; grip/ release hand or other 1-step command] {Loc commands neuro:31401} 2. Best Gaze: [test horizontal only. Isolated peripheral CN 3,4,6 palsy =1] {exam; best gaze neuro:31402} 3. Visual: [upper & lower VF quadrants] {Visual neuro:31403} 4. Facial Palsy: [show teeth, raise eyebrows, close eyes] {Exam; neuro facial palsy:31404} 5a. Motor left arm: [extend arms] {Motor arm:27865} 5b. Motor right arm: {Motor arm:27865} 6a. Motor left leg: [hold 30 degrees supine] {Motor leg:27866} 6b. Motor right leg: [hold 30 degrees supine] {Motor leg:27866} 7. Limb Ataxia: [w/ eyes open. (B) Finger to nose; (B) heel to shin. '0' if paralyzed or does not understand] {Limb ataxia neuro:31406} 8. Sensory: [to pinprick. If coma-> 2] {SENSORY:18028} 9. Best Language: [describe picture; name items in picture; read sentences] {exam; best language neuro:31408} 10. Dysarthria:[read or repeat words] {dysarthria neuro:31409} 11. Extinction and Inattention: {findings; extinction neuro:31410} Total: {0-42:17997} Note: A patient with a completely normal neurological exam and normal mental status will have an NIHSS of 0. The maximum recordable NIHSS score is 42. However, since acute ischemic stroke causes unilateral paralysis and blindness, the maximum score actually is 31 for a stroke patient with complete hemiparesis, hemianopia, hemineglect, and aphasia. Patients with an NIHSS score greater than 15-20 are considered to have a severe stroke clinically.



[Back to Main Menu]