NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) All Test Groups AF (Patients 16)
Complete Answer Key – Updated Spring 2025 | 200 Practice
Questions with Verified Answers & Explanations
SECTION 1: GENERAL NIHSS KNOWLEDGE & FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS (Questions 130)
1. The NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was developed by which organization?
A) American Heart Association
B) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
C) World Health Organization
D) American Stroke Association
Answer: B) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Explanation: The NIHSS was developed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
(NINDS) as a standardized tool to quantify neurological deficits in stroke patients.
2. What is the maximum total score on the NIH Stroke Scale?
A) 36
B) 42
C) 24
D) 15
Answer: B) 42
,Explanation: The NIHSS has 15 items (some with subparts) with a maximum total score of 42. Higher
scores indicate more severe strokes.
3. An NIHSS score of 04 indicates what severity of stroke?
A) Severe
B) Moderate
C) Mild
D) No stroke
Answer: C) Mild
Explanation: NIHSS scores correlate with stroke severity: 04 = mild stroke, 515 = moderate stroke, 1620
= moderate to severe, and 2142 = severe stroke.
4. How many items are assessed in the NIH Stroke Scale?
A) 11
B) 15
C) 18
D) 20
Answer: B) 15
,Explanation: The NIHSS assesses 15 items including Level of Consciousness (1a, 1b, 1c), Gaze, Visual
Fields, Facial Palsy, Motor Arm, Motor Leg, Limb Ataxia, Sensory, Language, Dysarthria, and
Extinction/Inattention.
5. Which NIHSS item assesses the patient's ability to answer questions about age and month?
A) Item 1a
B) Item 1b
C) Item 1c
D) Item 2
Answer: B) Item 1b
Explanation: Item 1b (Level of Consciousness Questions) assesses orientation by asking the patient their
age and the current month.
6. A patient who is alert but incorrectly answers both orientation questions (age and month) should
receive what score for NIHSS item 1b?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer: C) 2
, Explanation: NIHSS item 1b scores 2 when the patient answers neither orientation question correctly.
7. Which NIHSS item assesses the patient's ability to follow commands such as opening and closing
eyes?
A) Item 1a
B) Item 1b
C) Item 1c
D) Item 2
Answer: C) Item 1c
Explanation: Item 1c (Level of Consciousness Commands) assesses the patient's ability to follow simple
commands such as opening/closing eyes and making a fist.
8. What is the correct score for a patient who performs both commands correctly on item 1c?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer: A) 0
Explanation: A score of 0 on item 1c indicates the patient performs both tasks correctly without
difficulty.
Complete Answer Key – Updated Spring 2025 | 200 Practice
Questions with Verified Answers & Explanations
SECTION 1: GENERAL NIHSS KNOWLEDGE & FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS (Questions 130)
1. The NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was developed by which organization?
A) American Heart Association
B) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
C) World Health Organization
D) American Stroke Association
Answer: B) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Explanation: The NIHSS was developed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
(NINDS) as a standardized tool to quantify neurological deficits in stroke patients.
2. What is the maximum total score on the NIH Stroke Scale?
A) 36
B) 42
C) 24
D) 15
Answer: B) 42
,Explanation: The NIHSS has 15 items (some with subparts) with a maximum total score of 42. Higher
scores indicate more severe strokes.
3. An NIHSS score of 04 indicates what severity of stroke?
A) Severe
B) Moderate
C) Mild
D) No stroke
Answer: C) Mild
Explanation: NIHSS scores correlate with stroke severity: 04 = mild stroke, 515 = moderate stroke, 1620
= moderate to severe, and 2142 = severe stroke.
4. How many items are assessed in the NIH Stroke Scale?
A) 11
B) 15
C) 18
D) 20
Answer: B) 15
,Explanation: The NIHSS assesses 15 items including Level of Consciousness (1a, 1b, 1c), Gaze, Visual
Fields, Facial Palsy, Motor Arm, Motor Leg, Limb Ataxia, Sensory, Language, Dysarthria, and
Extinction/Inattention.
5. Which NIHSS item assesses the patient's ability to answer questions about age and month?
A) Item 1a
B) Item 1b
C) Item 1c
D) Item 2
Answer: B) Item 1b
Explanation: Item 1b (Level of Consciousness Questions) assesses orientation by asking the patient their
age and the current month.
6. A patient who is alert but incorrectly answers both orientation questions (age and month) should
receive what score for NIHSS item 1b?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer: C) 2
, Explanation: NIHSS item 1b scores 2 when the patient answers neither orientation question correctly.
7. Which NIHSS item assesses the patient's ability to follow commands such as opening and closing
eyes?
A) Item 1a
B) Item 1b
C) Item 1c
D) Item 2
Answer: C) Item 1c
Explanation: Item 1c (Level of Consciousness Commands) assesses the patient's ability to follow simple
commands such as opening/closing eyes and making a fist.
8. What is the correct score for a patient who performs both commands correctly on item 1c?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2
D) 3
Answer: A) 0
Explanation: A score of 0 on item 1c indicates the patient performs both tasks correctly without
difficulty.
