NIH Stroke Scale Group E Test ANSWERs (Patients 1-6) –
Itemized & Descriptive Key Updated Spring 2025
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION ACTUAL!!!
1. What does the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) primarily assess?
A. Cognitive function only
B. Neurological impairment in stroke patients
C. Physical rehabilitation progress
D. Cardiac function post-stroke
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - NIHSS assesses multiple neurological functions, not just cognition
B: Correct - NIHSS is specifically designed to quantify neurological impairment in acute stroke patients
C: Incorrect - While it can track progress, its primary purpose is initial assessment of stroke severity
D: Incorrect - NIHSS does not assess cardiac function
2. How many main categories are included in the NIH Stroke Scale?
A. 8
B. 10
C. 11
D. 15
ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - There are more than 8 categories
B: Incorrect - There are more than 10 categories
C: Correct - The NIHSS has 11 main categories assessing different neurological functions
D: Incorrect - There are fewer than 15 categories
,3. What is the maximum possible total score on the NIH Stroke Scale?
A. 30
B. 34
C. 42
D. 50
ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Maximum score is higher than 30
B: Incorrect - Maximum score is higher than 34
C: Correct - The maximum NIHSS score is 42, indicating most severe stroke
D: Incorrect - Maximum score is 42, not 50
4. In Patient 1, the Level of Consciousness (1a) score is 0. What does this indicate?
A. Patient is comatose
B. Patient is drowsy but arousable
C. Patient is alert and fully responsive
D. Patient requires painful stimulation
ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - A score of 3 would indicate coma
B: Incorrect - A score of 1 or 2 would indicate decreased consciousness
C: Correct - Score of 0 means patient is alert and keenly responsive
D: Incorrect - Score of 0 indicates normal consciousness without stimulation needed
5. For LOC Questions (1b), a score of 1 indicates:
A. Patient ANSWERs both questions correctly
B. Patient ANSWERs one question correctly
C. Patient ANSWERs neither question correctly
D. Patient is unable to respond
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
,A: Incorrect - Score of 0 means both questions ANSWERed correctly
B: Correct - Score of 1 means one question ANSWERed correctly or patient has aphasia preventing full
response
C: Incorrect - Score of 2 means neither question ANSWERed correctly
D: Incorrect - Score of 2 would be given if unable to respond
6. What are the two standard questions asked for LOC Questions (1b)?
A. Name and date of birth
B. Current month and patient's age
C. Address and phone number
D. Doctor's name and diagnosis
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - These are not the standard NIHSS questions
B: Correct - Standard questions are "What month is it?" and "How old are you?"
C: Incorrect - These are not standard NIHSS questions
D: Incorrect - These are not standard NIHSS questions
7. For LOC Commands (1c), what commands are typically given?
A. "Smile and wave"
B. "Open and close your eyes" and "Grip and release your hand"
C. "Stand up and sit down"
D. "Count to ten and say your name"
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Not standard NIHSS commands
B: Correct - Standard commands are "Open and close your eyes" and "Make a fist and release"
C: Incorrect - Patient may be unable to stand; not standard commands
D: Incorrect - Not standard NIHSS commands
8. A score of 0 for LOC Commands (1c) means:
A. Patient follows no commands
, B. Patient follows one command
C. Patient follows both commands correctly
D. Patient is unable to attempt commands
ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Score of 2 would indicate follows no commands
B: Incorrect - Score of 1 would indicate follows one command
C: Correct - Score of 0 means performs both tasks correctly
D: Incorrect - Score of 2 would be given
9. In Patient 2, LOC Questions scored 1. This suggests:
A. Perfect orientation
B. Mild confusion or aphasia
C. Severe confusion
D. Coma
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Perfect orientation would score 0
B: Correct - Score of 1 indicates one correct ANSWER or aphasia limiting responses
C: Incorrect - Severe confusion would score 2
D: Incorrect - Coma would score 2 for this item
10. Best Gaze (item 2) assesses:
A. Visual acuity
B. Horizontal eye movements
C. Pupillary response
D. Eyelid strength
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Visual acuity is tested in item 3 (Visual)
B: Correct - Best Gaze tests horizontal extraocular movements
Itemized & Descriptive Key Updated Spring 2025
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION ACTUAL!!!
1. What does the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) primarily assess?
A. Cognitive function only
B. Neurological impairment in stroke patients
C. Physical rehabilitation progress
D. Cardiac function post-stroke
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - NIHSS assesses multiple neurological functions, not just cognition
B: Correct - NIHSS is specifically designed to quantify neurological impairment in acute stroke patients
C: Incorrect - While it can track progress, its primary purpose is initial assessment of stroke severity
D: Incorrect - NIHSS does not assess cardiac function
2. How many main categories are included in the NIH Stroke Scale?
A. 8
B. 10
C. 11
D. 15
ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - There are more than 8 categories
B: Incorrect - There are more than 10 categories
C: Correct - The NIHSS has 11 main categories assessing different neurological functions
D: Incorrect - There are fewer than 15 categories
,3. What is the maximum possible total score on the NIH Stroke Scale?
A. 30
B. 34
C. 42
D. 50
ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Maximum score is higher than 30
B: Incorrect - Maximum score is higher than 34
C: Correct - The maximum NIHSS score is 42, indicating most severe stroke
D: Incorrect - Maximum score is 42, not 50
4. In Patient 1, the Level of Consciousness (1a) score is 0. What does this indicate?
A. Patient is comatose
B. Patient is drowsy but arousable
C. Patient is alert and fully responsive
D. Patient requires painful stimulation
ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - A score of 3 would indicate coma
B: Incorrect - A score of 1 or 2 would indicate decreased consciousness
C: Correct - Score of 0 means patient is alert and keenly responsive
D: Incorrect - Score of 0 indicates normal consciousness without stimulation needed
5. For LOC Questions (1b), a score of 1 indicates:
A. Patient ANSWERs both questions correctly
B. Patient ANSWERs one question correctly
C. Patient ANSWERs neither question correctly
D. Patient is unable to respond
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
,A: Incorrect - Score of 0 means both questions ANSWERed correctly
B: Correct - Score of 1 means one question ANSWERed correctly or patient has aphasia preventing full
response
C: Incorrect - Score of 2 means neither question ANSWERed correctly
D: Incorrect - Score of 2 would be given if unable to respond
6. What are the two standard questions asked for LOC Questions (1b)?
A. Name and date of birth
B. Current month and patient's age
C. Address and phone number
D. Doctor's name and diagnosis
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - These are not the standard NIHSS questions
B: Correct - Standard questions are "What month is it?" and "How old are you?"
C: Incorrect - These are not standard NIHSS questions
D: Incorrect - These are not standard NIHSS questions
7. For LOC Commands (1c), what commands are typically given?
A. "Smile and wave"
B. "Open and close your eyes" and "Grip and release your hand"
C. "Stand up and sit down"
D. "Count to ten and say your name"
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Not standard NIHSS commands
B: Correct - Standard commands are "Open and close your eyes" and "Make a fist and release"
C: Incorrect - Patient may be unable to stand; not standard commands
D: Incorrect - Not standard NIHSS commands
8. A score of 0 for LOC Commands (1c) means:
A. Patient follows no commands
, B. Patient follows one command
C. Patient follows both commands correctly
D. Patient is unable to attempt commands
ANSWER: C
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Score of 2 would indicate follows no commands
B: Incorrect - Score of 1 would indicate follows one command
C: Correct - Score of 0 means performs both tasks correctly
D: Incorrect - Score of 2 would be given
9. In Patient 2, LOC Questions scored 1. This suggests:
A. Perfect orientation
B. Mild confusion or aphasia
C. Severe confusion
D. Coma
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Perfect orientation would score 0
B: Correct - Score of 1 indicates one correct ANSWER or aphasia limiting responses
C: Incorrect - Severe confusion would score 2
D: Incorrect - Coma would score 2 for this item
10. Best Gaze (item 2) assesses:
A. Visual acuity
B. Horizontal eye movements
C. Pupillary response
D. Eyelid strength
ANSWER: B
Rationale:
A: Incorrect - Visual acuity is tested in item 3 (Visual)
B: Correct - Best Gaze tests horizontal extraocular movements
