NIH Stroke Scale Training and Certification questions with correct answers

rate what they actually do tips for scoring use patient's first response - ataxia lack of muscle coordination, reflects the affected coordination of one who has experienced a stroke Significance of NIH stroke scale necessary prognostic tool for discerning deficits within different parts of body. provides in common language to understand nature of stroke and severity amongst interdisciplinary team. is the NIH stroke scale a measure of disability? no, it is a measuring tool of impairments. Relevance to medical specialties emergency physicians, neurologists - administer scale items in their - exact order - avoid coaching patient - accept patient's 1st effort - score only what patient does - be consistent NIH level of consciousness item 1a 0 = alert 1 = not alert; aroused with minor verbal stimulation 2 = not alert; requires strong or painful stimulation 3 = reflex movements only or totally unresponsive coma NIH level of consciousness item 1B based on 2 questions 1) patient's age 2) month 0 = answers both questions correctly 1 = answers one question correctly 2 = answers neither questions correctly NIH level of consciousness item 1C ask patient to perform 2 tasks 1) close your eyes, now open them 2) make a fist (independent limbs) NIH Best Gaze tests voluntary horizontal eye movements. - notice position of the eyes at rest, - move finger/object horizontally and ask patient to follow moving target 0 = score if acts performed correctly 1 = partial gaze palsy 2 = forced deviation consider if eye movements are normal NIH Visual field test eyes are tested independently patient must be looking directly at your eyes for peripheral tests. 1) cover opposing eye - test peripheral field 0 = no visual loss 1 = partial hemianopia 2 = complete hemianopia 3 = bilateral hemianopia