NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH STROKE SCALE
(NIHSS)
COMPREHENSIVE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
200 QUESTIONS WITH GROUP-SPECIFIC ANSWER KEYS
GROUPS A • B • C
———————————————————————
STROKE ASSESSMENT TRAINING AND EVALUATION
Clinical Neurological Examination Skills Verification
Table of Contents
Section 1: Level of Consciousness (1a, 1b, 1c) - Questions 1-30
Section 2: Best Gaze (Item 2) - Questions 31-45
Section 3: Visual Fields (Item 3) - Questions 46-60
Section 4: Facial Palsy (Item 4) - Questions 61-75
Section 5: Motor Function - Arms (Item 5) - Questions 76-100
,Section 6: Motor Function - Legs (Item 6) - Questions 101-125
Section 7: Limb Ataxia (Item 7) - Questions 126-140
Section 8: Sensory (Item 8) - Questions 141-155
Section 9: Language/Aphasia (Item 9) - Questions 156-170
Section 10: Dysarthria (Item 10) - Questions 171-185
Section 11: Extinction and Inattention (Item 11) - Questions 186-200
Answer Keys by Group
,Introduction
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a standardized
neurological examination tool used to quantify stroke severity. This
comprehensive question bank contains 200 questions designed to test
knowledge of NIHSS administration, scoring, and interpretation.
Group Designation
Questions are designed with multiple answer variations for three groups:
• Group A: Primary assessment scenarios
• Group B: Alternative clinical presentations
• Group C: Complex cases and edge scenarios
, Section 1: Level of Consciousness (Items 1a, 1b, 1c)
Questions 1-30
1. A patient opens their eyes spontaneously, responds
appropriately to questions, and follows commands. What is the
score for Item 1a (LOC Responsiveness)?
Group A: Group A: 0
Group B: Group B: 0
Group C: Group C: 0
2. A patient requires repeated stimulation to maintain attention but
can answer questions when aroused. What is the score for Item
1a?
Group A: Group A: 1
Group B: Group B: 1
Group C: Group C: 1
3. A patient only responds to painful stimulation with purposeful
movements. What is the score for Item 1a?
Group A: Group A: 2
Group B: Group B: 2
Group C: Group C: 2
4. A patient shows only reflex posturing or no response to painful
stimulation. What is the score for Item 1a?
Group A: Group A: 3
Group B: Group B: 3
Group C: Group C: 3
5. A patient is drowsy but arouses to minor stimulation and follows
most commands. What is the Item 1a score?
Group A: Group A: 1
Group B: Group B: 1
Group C: Group C: 1
6. When testing Item 1b (LOC Questions), which questions should
be asked?
Group A: Group A: Age and current month
Group B: Group B: Name and current month
(NIHSS)
COMPREHENSIVE CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
200 QUESTIONS WITH GROUP-SPECIFIC ANSWER KEYS
GROUPS A • B • C
———————————————————————
STROKE ASSESSMENT TRAINING AND EVALUATION
Clinical Neurological Examination Skills Verification
Table of Contents
Section 1: Level of Consciousness (1a, 1b, 1c) - Questions 1-30
Section 2: Best Gaze (Item 2) - Questions 31-45
Section 3: Visual Fields (Item 3) - Questions 46-60
Section 4: Facial Palsy (Item 4) - Questions 61-75
Section 5: Motor Function - Arms (Item 5) - Questions 76-100
,Section 6: Motor Function - Legs (Item 6) - Questions 101-125
Section 7: Limb Ataxia (Item 7) - Questions 126-140
Section 8: Sensory (Item 8) - Questions 141-155
Section 9: Language/Aphasia (Item 9) - Questions 156-170
Section 10: Dysarthria (Item 10) - Questions 171-185
Section 11: Extinction and Inattention (Item 11) - Questions 186-200
Answer Keys by Group
,Introduction
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a standardized
neurological examination tool used to quantify stroke severity. This
comprehensive question bank contains 200 questions designed to test
knowledge of NIHSS administration, scoring, and interpretation.
Group Designation
Questions are designed with multiple answer variations for three groups:
• Group A: Primary assessment scenarios
• Group B: Alternative clinical presentations
• Group C: Complex cases and edge scenarios
, Section 1: Level of Consciousness (Items 1a, 1b, 1c)
Questions 1-30
1. A patient opens their eyes spontaneously, responds
appropriately to questions, and follows commands. What is the
score for Item 1a (LOC Responsiveness)?
Group A: Group A: 0
Group B: Group B: 0
Group C: Group C: 0
2. A patient requires repeated stimulation to maintain attention but
can answer questions when aroused. What is the score for Item
1a?
Group A: Group A: 1
Group B: Group B: 1
Group C: Group C: 1
3. A patient only responds to painful stimulation with purposeful
movements. What is the score for Item 1a?
Group A: Group A: 2
Group B: Group B: 2
Group C: Group C: 2
4. A patient shows only reflex posturing or no response to painful
stimulation. What is the score for Item 1a?
Group A: Group A: 3
Group B: Group B: 3
Group C: Group C: 3
5. A patient is drowsy but arouses to minor stimulation and follows
most commands. What is the Item 1a score?
Group A: Group A: 1
Group B: Group B: 1
Group C: Group C: 1
6. When testing Item 1b (LOC Questions), which questions should
be asked?
Group A: Group A: Age and current month
Group B: Group B: Name and current month
