NIHSS CERTIFICATION TEST 2026/27
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (GRADED
A+)
You have a student on rotation in your department when a patient with a
suspected stroke arrives. The student asks you how to properly perform the
NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) sensory function evaluation. You explain that this
scale assessment item includes -
Bilateral peripheral bare-skin pinprick testing with a needle on the sides of the face-
particularly in front of the ears, above the wrist and ankles, below the knees, and on
the trunk.
3 multiple choice options
When you are assessing the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) item for level of
consciousness on patients who have a pre-existing stroke with a verbal
expressive deficit, you would
Allow the patient to attempt to speak, speak slowly, or use gestures or body
language , or write their responses to demonstrate their best response
3 multiple choice options
What is the primary purpose of the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)?
To determine the degree of neurological impairments in stroke patients
3 multiple choice options
What does the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) measure?
The severity of neurological deficits in stroke patients
3 multiple choice options
You are assessing the dysarthria item in the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the
patient was intubated on the way to the emergency department. When scoring
this item, you would -
Record a score of "UN" and explain why this score was given
3 multiple choice options
You are administering the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and the patient is
struggling with the finger-nose-finger test for limb ataxia assessment and their
arm appears extremely weak. Your BEST action is to -
Record a score of 0 for this scale item and move on to the next scale assessment
item
3 multiple choice options
Which statement is TRUE regarding assessing facial palsy in the NIHSS?
The test is performed to evaluate for facial symmetry
3 multiple choice options
Which patient NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score is more likely to predict better
functional outcomes and prognosis?
3
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (GRADED
A+)
You have a student on rotation in your department when a patient with a
suspected stroke arrives. The student asks you how to properly perform the
NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) sensory function evaluation. You explain that this
scale assessment item includes -
Bilateral peripheral bare-skin pinprick testing with a needle on the sides of the face-
particularly in front of the ears, above the wrist and ankles, below the knees, and on
the trunk.
3 multiple choice options
When you are assessing the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) item for level of
consciousness on patients who have a pre-existing stroke with a verbal
expressive deficit, you would
Allow the patient to attempt to speak, speak slowly, or use gestures or body
language , or write their responses to demonstrate their best response
3 multiple choice options
What is the primary purpose of the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)?
To determine the degree of neurological impairments in stroke patients
3 multiple choice options
What does the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) measure?
The severity of neurological deficits in stroke patients
3 multiple choice options
You are assessing the dysarthria item in the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the
patient was intubated on the way to the emergency department. When scoring
this item, you would -
Record a score of "UN" and explain why this score was given
3 multiple choice options
You are administering the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and the patient is
struggling with the finger-nose-finger test for limb ataxia assessment and their
arm appears extremely weak. Your BEST action is to -
Record a score of 0 for this scale item and move on to the next scale assessment
item
3 multiple choice options
Which statement is TRUE regarding assessing facial palsy in the NIHSS?
The test is performed to evaluate for facial symmetry
3 multiple choice options
Which patient NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score is more likely to predict better
functional outcomes and prognosis?
3
