NIH Stroke Scale Study Guide Exam
Questions and Answers
Level of Consciousness (LOC) - Answer--General alertness
-Includes Questions and Commands
LOC Questions - Answer--What is the month?
-How old are you?
LOC Commands - Answer-Pt is asked to:
-Open/close eyes
-Grip then release non-paretic hand
Best Gaze - Answer--Have pt follow moving objects side to side
-Only horizontal movements are tested
Visual - Answer--Visual fields are tested by confrontation
-Includes upper and lower quadrants
-Identify when they see your hand move by pointing to the hand that is moving
Facial Palsy - Answer--Ask pt to show teeth or raise eyebrows and close eyes
-"smile"
-Look for facial droop
Motor Arm - Answer--Limb is placed in appropriate position (extend arms in pronation to
90 degrees (sitting) or 45 degrees (laying)
-Look for drift of arm
Motor Leg - Answer--Always tested in supine
-Place leg at 30 degrees and hold
-watch for drift
Limb Ataxia - Answer--Touch nose with finger tips then shins with heels on both sides
-Test with eyes open
Sensory - Answer--Test for sensation/grimace to pin prick
Best Language - Answer--Pt asked to describe whats happening in the picture
-Name the items on naming sheet
-read from a list of sentences
Dysarthria - Answer--pt asked to read/repeat words from an attached list
Questions and Answers
Level of Consciousness (LOC) - Answer--General alertness
-Includes Questions and Commands
LOC Questions - Answer--What is the month?
-How old are you?
LOC Commands - Answer-Pt is asked to:
-Open/close eyes
-Grip then release non-paretic hand
Best Gaze - Answer--Have pt follow moving objects side to side
-Only horizontal movements are tested
Visual - Answer--Visual fields are tested by confrontation
-Includes upper and lower quadrants
-Identify when they see your hand move by pointing to the hand that is moving
Facial Palsy - Answer--Ask pt to show teeth or raise eyebrows and close eyes
-"smile"
-Look for facial droop
Motor Arm - Answer--Limb is placed in appropriate position (extend arms in pronation to
90 degrees (sitting) or 45 degrees (laying)
-Look for drift of arm
Motor Leg - Answer--Always tested in supine
-Place leg at 30 degrees and hold
-watch for drift
Limb Ataxia - Answer--Touch nose with finger tips then shins with heels on both sides
-Test with eyes open
Sensory - Answer--Test for sensation/grimace to pin prick
Best Language - Answer--Pt asked to describe whats happening in the picture
-Name the items on naming sheet
-read from a list of sentences
Dysarthria - Answer--pt asked to read/repeat words from an attached list
