NIH Stroke Scale Questions and Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale
2027 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) item assesses the patient's level
of consciousness questions?
A. LOC commands
B. Best language
C. LOC questions
D. Extinction and inattention
Answer: C. LOC questions
Rationale: The LOC questions item evaluates whether the patient can
correctly state the month and their age. Each correct response earns 1
point, while incorrect or absent responses are scored according to the
NIHSS criteria. This item specifically tests orientation rather than the
patient's ability to follow commands.
2. Which two questions are used to assess the NIHSS level of
consciousness questions item?
,A. Name and location
B. Month and age
C. Date and hospital
D. Year and diagnosis
Answer: B. Month and age
Rationale: The standardized NIHSS LOC questions assessment asks the
patient to identify the current month and their age. These questions
are designed to provide a brief standardized assessment of
consciousness and orientation.
3. A patient correctly states the month but incorrectly states their
age. What score should be assigned for LOC questions?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
Answer: B. 1
Rationale: For the NIHSS LOC questions item, one correct response
receives a score of 1. A score of 2 is assigned when both questions are
answered incorrectly or not answered appropriately.
, 4. Which NIHSS item evaluates the patient's ability to follow simple
commands?
A. LOC commands
B. Best language
C. Dysarthria
D. Extinction
Answer: A. LOC commands
Rationale: LOC commands evaluates whether the patient can follow
two simple commands, typically involving opening and closing the
eyes and making a fist and releasing it. This assessment helps
distinguish impaired consciousness or comprehension from other
neurologic deficits.
5. A patient is asked to open and close their eyes and then make a
fist and release it. The patient performs both tasks correctly.
What is the NIHSS LOC commands score?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
Answer: A. 0
, Rationale: A score of 0 indicates that the patient correctly follows
both commands. One correctly completed command results in a score
of 1, while failure to follow either command results in a higher score
according to the standardized NIHSS scoring criteria.
6. Which NIHSS item is used to evaluate visual field loss?
A. Best gaze
B. Visual
C. Extinction and inattention
D. Best language
Answer: B. Visual
Rationale: The visual item assesses visual fields, generally through
confrontation testing. The examiner determines whether there is
partial or complete visual field loss and assigns the corresponding
NIHSS score.
7. A patient has complete blindness in one eye but no other visual
field deficit. How should the NIHSS visual item be approached?
A. Automatically assign the maximum visual score
B. Score based on the standardized visual-field assessment and
documented deficit
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale
2027 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. Which NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) item assesses the patient's level
of consciousness questions?
A. LOC commands
B. Best language
C. LOC questions
D. Extinction and inattention
Answer: C. LOC questions
Rationale: The LOC questions item evaluates whether the patient can
correctly state the month and their age. Each correct response earns 1
point, while incorrect or absent responses are scored according to the
NIHSS criteria. This item specifically tests orientation rather than the
patient's ability to follow commands.
2. Which two questions are used to assess the NIHSS level of
consciousness questions item?
,A. Name and location
B. Month and age
C. Date and hospital
D. Year and diagnosis
Answer: B. Month and age
Rationale: The standardized NIHSS LOC questions assessment asks the
patient to identify the current month and their age. These questions
are designed to provide a brief standardized assessment of
consciousness and orientation.
3. A patient correctly states the month but incorrectly states their
age. What score should be assigned for LOC questions?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
Answer: B. 1
Rationale: For the NIHSS LOC questions item, one correct response
receives a score of 1. A score of 2 is assigned when both questions are
answered incorrectly or not answered appropriately.
, 4. Which NIHSS item evaluates the patient's ability to follow simple
commands?
A. LOC commands
B. Best language
C. Dysarthria
D. Extinction
Answer: A. LOC commands
Rationale: LOC commands evaluates whether the patient can follow
two simple commands, typically involving opening and closing the
eyes and making a fist and releasing it. This assessment helps
distinguish impaired consciousness or comprehension from other
neurologic deficits.
5. A patient is asked to open and close their eyes and then make a
fist and release it. The patient performs both tasks correctly.
What is the NIHSS LOC commands score?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
Answer: A. 0
, Rationale: A score of 0 indicates that the patient correctly follows
both commands. One correctly completed command results in a score
of 1, while failure to follow either command results in a higher score
according to the standardized NIHSS scoring criteria.
6. Which NIHSS item is used to evaluate visual field loss?
A. Best gaze
B. Visual
C. Extinction and inattention
D. Best language
Answer: B. Visual
Rationale: The visual item assesses visual fields, generally through
confrontation testing. The examiner determines whether there is
partial or complete visual field loss and assigns the corresponding
NIHSS score.
7. A patient has complete blindness in one eye but no other visual
field deficit. How should the NIHSS visual item be approached?
A. Automatically assign the maximum visual score
B. Score based on the standardized visual-field assessment and
documented deficit
