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APEX NIH Stroke Scale Exam
Question 1:
What does the NIH Stroke Scale primarily measure?
A) Level of consciousness
B) Severity of stroke symptoms
C) Physical disabilities post-stroke
D) Patient's emotional state
Correct Option: B
Rationale: The NIH Stroke Scale measures the severity of stroke symptoms to assess the level
of impairment in patients.
Question 2:
Which of the following is NOT a category assessed by the NIH Stroke Scale?
A) Facial droop
B) Dysphagia
C) Language skills
D) Motor function
Correct Option: B
Rationale: Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is not specifically assessed in the standard NIH
Stroke Scale categories.
Question 3:
What is the maximum score on the NIH Stroke Scale?
A) 10
B) 42
C) 30
D) 20
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Correct Option: B
Rationale: The maximum score on the NIH Stroke Scale is 42, with higher scores indicating
more severe impairment.
Question 4:
In the category assessing "limb movement," what is considered a normal response?
A) No movement of limbs
B) Ability to move all limbs on command
C) Limited movement in one limb
D) Spastic movement in limbs
Correct Option: B
Rationale: A normal response in the limb movement category is the ability to move all limbs on
command.
Question 5:
Which category evaluates a patient’s ability to speak and understand language?
A) Facial symmetry
B) Language
C) Sensory function
D) Limb movement
Correct Option: B
Rationale: The "Language" category assesses a patient's ability to express and comprehend
spoken language.
Question 6:
What is indicated by a score of 0 on the NIH Stroke Scale?
A) Severe stroke symptoms
B) No symptoms of stroke
C) Moderate stroke symptoms
D) Life-threatening symptoms
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Correct Option: B
Rationale: A score of 0 indicates the absence of any symptoms related to a stroke.
Question 7:
When scoring the NIH Stroke Scale, what does a score of 1 in the "gaze" category indicate?
A) Normal eye movement
B) Partial gaze palsy
C) Complete gaze paresis
D) Movement in both eyes
Correct Option: B
Rationale: A score of 1 indicates partial gaze palsy, meaning limited but not total control of
gaze.
Question 8:
Which score range on the NIH Stroke Scale is considered to indicate a minor stroke?
A) 0-3
B) 4-8
C) 9-15
D) 16-25
Correct Option: C
Rationale: A score of 9-15 on the NIH Stroke Scale indicates a minor to moderate stroke.
Question 9:
What should be done if a patient has a score of 22 on the NIH Stroke Scale?
A) Immediate referral to rehabilitation
B) Urgent medical intervention is necessary
C) Routine follow-up appointment
D) Observation only
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QuestIoNs & aNswers, steP-by-steP assessMeNt
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Correct Option: B
Rationale: A score of 22 suggests a severe stroke, indicating the need for urgent medical
intervention.
Question 10:
In the NIH Stroke Scale, what does a higher score indicate?
A) Lower severity of stroke
B) Higher severity and greater functional impairment
C) No correlation to symptoms
D) Better recovery potential
Correct Option: B
Rationale: Higher scores indicate greater severity of the stroke and a higher degree of functional
impairment.
Question 11:
Which score indicates the presence of a complete inability to communicate verbally?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 1
D) 0
Correct Option: B
Rationale: A score of 3 indicates a complete inability to communicate verbally in the language
category.
Question 12:
How do you assess the motor function of the legs in the NIH Stroke Scale?
A) Observe for walking capability
B) Request the patient to lift each leg separately
C) Measure the leg’s flexibility
D) Check for skin sensations