NIH STROKE SCALE GROUP B PATIENT 1
TO 6 ANSWER KEY COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ watch for what upon release of the limb? what to consider about this?
Answer: watch for an initial dip after release of the limb, only score
abnormal if there is a downward drift after the dip
⩥ each arm is tested in turn beginning with the. Answer: non-paretic arm
⩥ when testing arms, what position for palms? Answer: down
⩥ can limbs be tested simultaneously? Answer: NO
⩥ in what cases are the motor items not scored? Answer: only in the case
of amputation or joint fusion of the shoulder or hip, BUT A WRITTEN
NOTE OF THIS MUST BE NOTED - IF advised to score 9, do not use
in calculating score
⩥ Use what in voice when talking to aphasic patients? what else can be
used. Answer: urgency in voice
pantomime
, ⩥ if patient has restricted limb function due to arthritis or non-stroke
related limitations, does a score still need to be given? Answer: yes - use
best judgment to determine between effect of stroke and any other cause
⩥ Scale item 5 has how many sections? What are they?. Answer: 2, 5a
and 5b
⩥ NIH scale item 5 scoring
0
1
2
3
4. Answer: 0 - no drift
1 - drift: if arm jerks or drifts down to intermediate position without
encountering support, such as a bed, before a full 10 seconds
2-some effort against gravity but the arm cannot get to or maintain the
proper position and drifts down to some support
3-no effort against gravity and the arm falls
4-if patient is unable to make voluntary movements
⩥ to differentiate between 3 and 4 on arm, you have to. Answer:
encourage the patient and wait a second or two to observe movement in
the paretic arm
TO 6 ANSWER KEY COMPREHENSIVE
STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL ANSWERS
GRADED A+
⩥ watch for what upon release of the limb? what to consider about this?
Answer: watch for an initial dip after release of the limb, only score
abnormal if there is a downward drift after the dip
⩥ each arm is tested in turn beginning with the. Answer: non-paretic arm
⩥ when testing arms, what position for palms? Answer: down
⩥ can limbs be tested simultaneously? Answer: NO
⩥ in what cases are the motor items not scored? Answer: only in the case
of amputation or joint fusion of the shoulder or hip, BUT A WRITTEN
NOTE OF THIS MUST BE NOTED - IF advised to score 9, do not use
in calculating score
⩥ Use what in voice when talking to aphasic patients? what else can be
used. Answer: urgency in voice
pantomime
, ⩥ if patient has restricted limb function due to arthritis or non-stroke
related limitations, does a score still need to be given? Answer: yes - use
best judgment to determine between effect of stroke and any other cause
⩥ Scale item 5 has how many sections? What are they?. Answer: 2, 5a
and 5b
⩥ NIH scale item 5 scoring
0
1
2
3
4. Answer: 0 - no drift
1 - drift: if arm jerks or drifts down to intermediate position without
encountering support, such as a bed, before a full 10 seconds
2-some effort against gravity but the arm cannot get to or maintain the
proper position and drifts down to some support
3-no effort against gravity and the arm falls
4-if patient is unable to make voluntary movements
⩥ to differentiate between 3 and 4 on arm, you have to. Answer:
encourage the patient and wait a second or two to observe movement in
the paretic arm
