NIH STROKE SCALE GROUP A PATIENT 1–6 EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
|| 100% GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Section 1: General Principles & Administration
1. What is the primary purpose of the NIH Stroke Scale?
To objectively quantify the severity of a stroke by evaluating the effect
of a stroke on key areas of neurological function.
2. The NIHSS is a standardized tool used for what three main purposes?
1) To assess stroke severity, 2) To help determine appropriate treatment,
and 3) To predict patient outcomes.
3. True or False: The NIHSS scorer should coach the patient to improve
their performance.
False. The scorer must not coach the patient. Instructions are given only
once, clearly, and without exaggeration.
4. What is the most important rule for administering the NIHSS?
Score what the patient does, not what you think the patient can do.
5. Should the same healthcare professional perform serial NIHSS
assessments on the same patient?
Yes, whenever possible, to minimize inter-rater variability and improve
the reliability of trend analysis.
6. In which order should the NIHSS items be administered?
In the strict order they are listed on the scale form.
7. What must you do if a patient cannot perform a task due to a pre-
existing condition (e.g., blindness, amputation)?
Score the item as "Untestable (UN)" and clearly document the reason.
8. For a patient who is intubated or has a language barrier, how should the
"Best Language" and "Dysarthria" items be scored?
They should be scored as "Untestable (UN)" and the reason must be
documented.
, 9. What is the guiding principle for scoring the "Level of Consciousness"
questions?
Score the first response. Do not repeat the question if the patient initially
gives a wrong answer.
10.The "Sensory" item is designed to test what?
Primary sensation (pinprick) or dull touch on the limbs and face, not
proprioception or stereognosis.
Section 2: Patient 1 (Minor Stroke)
Scenario: A patient with mild right-sided weakness and sensory loss. Able to
follow all commands.
11.Patient 1's Level of Consciousness (1a) is:
0 - Alert.
12.When asked the current month and their age, Patient 1 answers both
correctly. What is the score for LOC Questions (1b)?
0 - Answers both questions correctly.
13.Patient 1 opens and closes their eyes and grips and releases their left
hand without weakness. What is the score for LOC Commands (1c)?
0 - Performs both tasks correctly.
14.For Best Gaze, Patient 1's eye movements are full in all directions. The
score is:
0 - Normal.
15.During visual fields testing, Patient 1 sees finger motion in all
quadrants. The score is:
0 - No visual loss.
16.You observe a slight droop on the right side of Patient 1's face when
asked to show teeth. The score for Facial Palsy is:
1 - Minor paralysis.
2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
|| 100% GUARANTEED PASS <RECENT VERSION>
Section 1: General Principles & Administration
1. What is the primary purpose of the NIH Stroke Scale?
To objectively quantify the severity of a stroke by evaluating the effect
of a stroke on key areas of neurological function.
2. The NIHSS is a standardized tool used for what three main purposes?
1) To assess stroke severity, 2) To help determine appropriate treatment,
and 3) To predict patient outcomes.
3. True or False: The NIHSS scorer should coach the patient to improve
their performance.
False. The scorer must not coach the patient. Instructions are given only
once, clearly, and without exaggeration.
4. What is the most important rule for administering the NIHSS?
Score what the patient does, not what you think the patient can do.
5. Should the same healthcare professional perform serial NIHSS
assessments on the same patient?
Yes, whenever possible, to minimize inter-rater variability and improve
the reliability of trend analysis.
6. In which order should the NIHSS items be administered?
In the strict order they are listed on the scale form.
7. What must you do if a patient cannot perform a task due to a pre-
existing condition (e.g., blindness, amputation)?
Score the item as "Untestable (UN)" and clearly document the reason.
8. For a patient who is intubated or has a language barrier, how should the
"Best Language" and "Dysarthria" items be scored?
They should be scored as "Untestable (UN)" and the reason must be
documented.
, 9. What is the guiding principle for scoring the "Level of Consciousness"
questions?
Score the first response. Do not repeat the question if the patient initially
gives a wrong answer.
10.The "Sensory" item is designed to test what?
Primary sensation (pinprick) or dull touch on the limbs and face, not
proprioception or stereognosis.
Section 2: Patient 1 (Minor Stroke)
Scenario: A patient with mild right-sided weakness and sensory loss. Able to
follow all commands.
11.Patient 1's Level of Consciousness (1a) is:
0 - Alert.
12.When asked the current month and their age, Patient 1 answers both
correctly. What is the score for LOC Questions (1b)?
0 - Answers both questions correctly.
13.Patient 1 opens and closes their eyes and grips and releases their left
hand without weakness. What is the score for LOC Commands (1c)?
0 - Performs both tasks correctly.
14.For Best Gaze, Patient 1's eye movements are full in all directions. The
score is:
0 - Normal.
15.During visual fields testing, Patient 1 sees finger motion in all
quadrants. The score is:
0 - No visual loss.
16.You observe a slight droop on the right side of Patient 1's face when
asked to show teeth. The score for Facial Palsy is:
1 - Minor paralysis.
