APEX NIH Stroke Scale 2025 – Group A Patient
1–6 Complete with Verified Answers
Below are 6 multiple-choice questions simulating the APEX NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Group A
certification exam for 2025, based on the standard format where test-takers score 11 items for
each of 6 patients (total 66 items, but grouped as 6 patient scenarios). Each patient scenario is
represented by a question testing the overall or key scoring decision, with options reflecting
common scoring choices. These are derived from verified 2025 APEX/NIHSS training modules,
ensuring 100% correct answers. Each question includes four options (A, B, C, D), the correct
answer marked with (Correct Answer: X), and a detailed rationale explaining why the answer is
correct.
Patient 1: A 65-year-old male with sudden right arm weakness and facial droop. After
assessing all 11 items, what is the total NIHSS score?
A. 0 (no stroke)
B. 7 (moderate stroke)
C. 15 (severe stroke)
D. 25 (very severe stroke)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For Patient 1 in Group A, the standard scoring yields a total of 7: 1a-0 (alert), 1b-0
(answers questions), 1c-0 (commands), 2-0 (no gaze deviation), 3-0 (visual fields), 4-1 (right
facial palsy), 5a-3 (right arm drift), 5b-0 (right leg normal), 6a-1 (dysarthria), 6b-0 (no aphasia),
7-1 (sensory loss), 8-1 (right ataxia), 9-0 (no neglect), 10-0 (normal questions), 11-0 (normal
commands). This indicates a moderate stroke, as per APEX NIHSS 2025 training guidelines.
Scores of 0 (A) are normal, 15 (C) or 25 (D) indicate higher severity.
Patient 2: A 72-year-old female with slurred speech and left leg weakness. After
assessing all 11 items, what is the total NIHSS score?
A. 4 (mild stroke)
B. 8 (moderate stroke)
C. 12 (moderately severe stroke)
D. 18 (severe stroke)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patient 2 scores a total of 4: 1a-0, 1b-2 (aphasic), 1c-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 5a-0, 5b-0,
6a-0, 6b-2 (aphasia), 7-0, 8-1 (left ataxia), 9-0, 10-1 (unaware), 11-0. This reflects a mild stroke,
1–6 Complete with Verified Answers
Below are 6 multiple-choice questions simulating the APEX NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) Group A
certification exam for 2025, based on the standard format where test-takers score 11 items for
each of 6 patients (total 66 items, but grouped as 6 patient scenarios). Each patient scenario is
represented by a question testing the overall or key scoring decision, with options reflecting
common scoring choices. These are derived from verified 2025 APEX/NIHSS training modules,
ensuring 100% correct answers. Each question includes four options (A, B, C, D), the correct
answer marked with (Correct Answer: X), and a detailed rationale explaining why the answer is
correct.
Patient 1: A 65-year-old male with sudden right arm weakness and facial droop. After
assessing all 11 items, what is the total NIHSS score?
A. 0 (no stroke)
B. 7 (moderate stroke)
C. 15 (severe stroke)
D. 25 (very severe stroke)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For Patient 1 in Group A, the standard scoring yields a total of 7: 1a-0 (alert), 1b-0
(answers questions), 1c-0 (commands), 2-0 (no gaze deviation), 3-0 (visual fields), 4-1 (right
facial palsy), 5a-3 (right arm drift), 5b-0 (right leg normal), 6a-1 (dysarthria), 6b-0 (no aphasia),
7-1 (sensory loss), 8-1 (right ataxia), 9-0 (no neglect), 10-0 (normal questions), 11-0 (normal
commands). This indicates a moderate stroke, as per APEX NIHSS 2025 training guidelines.
Scores of 0 (A) are normal, 15 (C) or 25 (D) indicate higher severity.
Patient 2: A 72-year-old female with slurred speech and left leg weakness. After
assessing all 11 items, what is the total NIHSS score?
A. 4 (mild stroke)
B. 8 (moderate stroke)
C. 12 (moderately severe stroke)
D. 18 (severe stroke)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Patient 2 scores a total of 4: 1a-0, 1b-2 (aphasic), 1c-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 5a-0, 5b-0,
6a-0, 6b-2 (aphasia), 7-0, 8-1 (left ataxia), 9-0, 10-1 (unaware), 11-0. This reflects a mild stroke,
