NIH
Stroke
Scale
stroke.nih.gov
1-800-352-9424
, NIH
Stroke
Scale
Instructions
• Administer stroke scale items in the order listed.
• Record performance in each category after each subscale exam.
• Do not go back and change scores.
• Follow directions provided for each exam technique.
• Scores should reflect what the patient does, not what the clinician
thinks the patient can do.
• The clinician should record answers while administering the exam
and work quickly.
• Except where indicated, the patient should not be coached
(i.e., repeated requests to patient to make a special effort).
2 NIH Stroke Scale
Stroke
Scale
stroke.nih.gov
1-800-352-9424
, NIH
Stroke
Scale
Instructions
• Administer stroke scale items in the order listed.
• Record performance in each category after each subscale exam.
• Do not go back and change scores.
• Follow directions provided for each exam technique.
• Scores should reflect what the patient does, not what the clinician
thinks the patient can do.
• The clinician should record answers while administering the exam
and work quickly.
• Except where indicated, the patient should not be coached
(i.e., repeated requests to patient to make a special effort).
2 NIH Stroke Scale
