NIH Stroke Scale Training and Certification questions with
verified answers 2026
1. rate what they actually do ANSWER>
2. tips for scoring ANSWER> use patient's first response
3. ataxia ANSWER> lack of muscle coordination, reflects the affected coordination of one who
has experienced a stroke
4. Significance of NIH stroke scale ANSWER> 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.
5. is the NIH stroke scale a measure of disability? ANSWER> no, it is a measuring tool of
impairments.
6. Relevance to medical specialties ANSWER> emergency physicians, neurologists
7. ANSWER> - administer scale items in their - exact order- avoid coaching patient- accept
patient's 1st effort- score only what patient does- be consistent
8. NIH level of consciousness item 1a ANSWER> 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*
9. NIH level of consciousness item 1B ANSWER> 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
verified answers 2026
1. rate what they actually do ANSWER>
2. tips for scoring ANSWER> use patient's first response
3. ataxia ANSWER> lack of muscle coordination, reflects the affected coordination of one who
has experienced a stroke
4. Significance of NIH stroke scale ANSWER> 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.
5. is the NIH stroke scale a measure of disability? ANSWER> no, it is a measuring tool of
impairments.
6. Relevance to medical specialties ANSWER> emergency physicians, neurologists
7. ANSWER> - administer scale items in their - exact order- avoid coaching patient- accept
patient's 1st effort- score only what patient does- be consistent
8. NIH level of consciousness item 1a ANSWER> 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*
9. NIH level of consciousness item 1B ANSWER> 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
