NIH stroke scale (the basics)| Questions and Answers with complete solution

1a LOC - Assess basic state of wakefulness, awareness, or alertness. 1b. LOC Question - The Pt. is asked month and her/her age 1.c LOC command - The Pt. is asked to open/close eyes and grip and release the non-peretic hand. 2. Best Gaze - Horizontal eye movements. Use pen and ask Px to follow. Look for any deviations. 3. Visual - Visual fields tested in all quadrants by confrontation, using finger counting. Peripheral vision is tested. Cover eye and ask Pt how many fingers do they see. Test 4 quadrants. 4. Facial palsy - Ask Pt. to show teeth or raise eyebrows and close eyes 5. Motor arm - The limb is placed in the appropriate position. Extend arms at 90 or 45 degrees. Test both arms 6. Motor leg - The leg is raised at 30 degrees. 7. Limb ataxia - With eyes open, use finger-nose-finger and heel-shin tests on both sides. 8. Sensory - Sensation or grimace to pinprick. 9. Best language - Comprehension. Pt is asked to describe what is happening in a picture 10. Dysarthria - Pt. is asked to read a list of words. Check clarity of words spoken.