NIHSS - Group A 200 Multiple Choice Questions
with Bold Italic Answers and Italic Explanations (
correct answers 100%) 2026/2027 |grade A+
1. How many items are on the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)?
A) 9
B) 10
C) *11*
D) 12
The NIHSS is an 11-item standardized neurologic exam used to quantify stroke severity.
Each item assesses a different aspect of neurological function, and the scores are summed
to provide a total score that correlates with stroke severity and outcome .
2. Which of the following is the MINIMUM score on the NIHSS?
A) -1
B) *0*
C) 1
D) 10
The NIHSS has a minimum score of 0, indicating a normal neurological examination. Scores
range from 0 to a maximum of 42, with higher scores indicating more severe neurological
impairment. The maximum score is 42, representing the most severe stroke .
3. The NIHSS is primarily used to:
A) Diagnose stroke type
B) Quantify the severity of a stroke
C) Determine the cause of stroke
D) Guide surgical intervention
The NIHSS is an evidence-based clinical evaluation tool developed by the National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to quantify the effects of acute cerebral
,ischemia. It assesses neurologic outcome and the degree of recovery from stroke, not the
etiology or specific treatment type .
4. A patient who is fully alert and responds appropriately to all questions and
commands would receive an LOC score of:
A) 1
B) *0*
C) 2
D) 3
A score of 0 for Level of Consciousness (Item 1a) indicates that the patient is alert and fully
responsive. This is the normal finding in a patient without impaired consciousness .
5. The Level of Consciousness (LOC) on the NIHSS is designated as:
A) Item 1b
B) Item 1a
C) Item 1c
D) Item 2
The Level of Consciousness item is designated as Item 1a on the NIHSS. Items 1b and 1c
assess orientation questions and commands, respectively .
6. What is the maximum possible total score on the NIHSS?
A) 30
B) 36
C) 40
D) *42*
The maximum total score on the NIHSS is 42, indicating the most severe stroke. Scores
range from 0 (normal) to 42 (maximum deficit). A higher score indicates greater neurological
impairment and typically worse outcomes .
7. Which of the following BEST describes a patient with an NIHSS LOC score of 1?
,A) Alert and fully responsive
B) Drowsy but arousable with minimal stimulation
C) Opens eyes only to painful stimuli
D) No response to any stimuli
An LOC score of 1 indicates that the patient is drowsy but can be aroused with minimal
stimulation to respond to commands or questions. The patient may require repeated
stimulation to remain awake .
8. A patient with an NIHSS LOC score of 2:
A) Is alert and responsive
B) Is drowsy but arousable
C) Opens eyes only to repeated or painful stimulation
D) Has no response to any stimulation
LOC is scored as 2 when the patient opens eyes only to repeated or painful stimulation. A
score of 0 indicates alertness, 1 indicates drowsiness but arousal with minimal stimulation,
and 3 indicates no response even with painful stimulation .
9. An NIHSS LOC score of 3 indicates:
A) Mild drowsiness
B) Arousal with stimulation
C) Eye opening to pain only
D) No response to any stimuli
A score of 3 for LOC indicates that the patient is unresponsive to any stimuli, including
painful ones. This is the most severe level of impaired consciousness .
10. Item 1B on the NIHSS assesses:
A) Level of consciousness
B) Orientation
C) Commands
D) Gaze
, Item 1B assesses orientation. The patient is asked two questions: "What month is it?" and
"How old are you?" The score is 0 if both are answered correctly, 1 if one is correct, and 2 if
neither is correct .
11. For Item 1B (Orientation), the patient answers both orientation questions
correctly. What score do you assign?
A) 2
B) *0*
C) 1
D) Not testable
Item 1B is scored 0 when the patient answers both orientation questions correctly. Score 1
is assigned for one correct answer, and 2 if neither question is answered correctly .
12. Item 1C on the NIHSS assesses:
A) Level of consciousness
B) Orientation
C) Commands
D) Gaze
Item 1C assesses the patient's ability to follow commands. The patient is asked to perform
tasks such as opening and closing eyes, and making a fist. The score reflects the patient's
ability to follow these commands correctly .
13. For Item 1C (Commands), the patient performs both commands correctly on the
first attempt. What score is assigned?
A) 2
B) 1
C) *0*
D) 3
Item 1C is scored 0 when both commands are performed correctly. Score 1 is assigned if
one task is correct, and 2 if neither task is performed correctly .
with Bold Italic Answers and Italic Explanations (
correct answers 100%) 2026/2027 |grade A+
1. How many items are on the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)?
A) 9
B) 10
C) *11*
D) 12
The NIHSS is an 11-item standardized neurologic exam used to quantify stroke severity.
Each item assesses a different aspect of neurological function, and the scores are summed
to provide a total score that correlates with stroke severity and outcome .
2. Which of the following is the MINIMUM score on the NIHSS?
A) -1
B) *0*
C) 1
D) 10
The NIHSS has a minimum score of 0, indicating a normal neurological examination. Scores
range from 0 to a maximum of 42, with higher scores indicating more severe neurological
impairment. The maximum score is 42, representing the most severe stroke .
3. The NIHSS is primarily used to:
A) Diagnose stroke type
B) Quantify the severity of a stroke
C) Determine the cause of stroke
D) Guide surgical intervention
The NIHSS is an evidence-based clinical evaluation tool developed by the National Institute
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) to quantify the effects of acute cerebral
,ischemia. It assesses neurologic outcome and the degree of recovery from stroke, not the
etiology or specific treatment type .
4. A patient who is fully alert and responds appropriately to all questions and
commands would receive an LOC score of:
A) 1
B) *0*
C) 2
D) 3
A score of 0 for Level of Consciousness (Item 1a) indicates that the patient is alert and fully
responsive. This is the normal finding in a patient without impaired consciousness .
5. The Level of Consciousness (LOC) on the NIHSS is designated as:
A) Item 1b
B) Item 1a
C) Item 1c
D) Item 2
The Level of Consciousness item is designated as Item 1a on the NIHSS. Items 1b and 1c
assess orientation questions and commands, respectively .
6. What is the maximum possible total score on the NIHSS?
A) 30
B) 36
C) 40
D) *42*
The maximum total score on the NIHSS is 42, indicating the most severe stroke. Scores
range from 0 (normal) to 42 (maximum deficit). A higher score indicates greater neurological
impairment and typically worse outcomes .
7. Which of the following BEST describes a patient with an NIHSS LOC score of 1?
,A) Alert and fully responsive
B) Drowsy but arousable with minimal stimulation
C) Opens eyes only to painful stimuli
D) No response to any stimuli
An LOC score of 1 indicates that the patient is drowsy but can be aroused with minimal
stimulation to respond to commands or questions. The patient may require repeated
stimulation to remain awake .
8. A patient with an NIHSS LOC score of 2:
A) Is alert and responsive
B) Is drowsy but arousable
C) Opens eyes only to repeated or painful stimulation
D) Has no response to any stimulation
LOC is scored as 2 when the patient opens eyes only to repeated or painful stimulation. A
score of 0 indicates alertness, 1 indicates drowsiness but arousal with minimal stimulation,
and 3 indicates no response even with painful stimulation .
9. An NIHSS LOC score of 3 indicates:
A) Mild drowsiness
B) Arousal with stimulation
C) Eye opening to pain only
D) No response to any stimuli
A score of 3 for LOC indicates that the patient is unresponsive to any stimuli, including
painful ones. This is the most severe level of impaired consciousness .
10. Item 1B on the NIHSS assesses:
A) Level of consciousness
B) Orientation
C) Commands
D) Gaze
, Item 1B assesses orientation. The patient is asked two questions: "What month is it?" and
"How old are you?" The score is 0 if both are answered correctly, 1 if one is correct, and 2 if
neither is correct .
11. For Item 1B (Orientation), the patient answers both orientation questions
correctly. What score do you assign?
A) 2
B) *0*
C) 1
D) Not testable
Item 1B is scored 0 when the patient answers both orientation questions correctly. Score 1
is assigned for one correct answer, and 2 if neither question is answered correctly .
12. Item 1C on the NIHSS assesses:
A) Level of consciousness
B) Orientation
C) Commands
D) Gaze
Item 1C assesses the patient's ability to follow commands. The patient is asked to perform
tasks such as opening and closing eyes, and making a fist. The score reflects the patient's
ability to follow these commands correctly .
13. For Item 1C (Commands), the patient performs both commands correctly on the
first attempt. What score is assigned?
A) 2
B) 1
C) *0*
D) 3
Item 1C is scored 0 when both commands are performed correctly. Score 1 is assigned if
one task is correct, and 2 if neither task is performed correctly .
