NIH Stroke Scale
A standardized neurological examination tool used to assess stroke severity and track neurological changes over time.
Full Definition
The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a systematic assessment tool used to measure neurological deficit severity in acute stroke patients. The scale consists of 15 items evaluating consciousness, vision, extraocular movements, facial palsy, motor function, ataxia, sensation, language, speech, and neglect. Scores range from 0 (no deficit) to 42 (severe deficit), with specific cut-off scores indicating mild (1-4), moderate (5-15), moderate to severe (16-20), and severe (21-42) strokes. The NIHSS is administered by trained clinicians and serves as a standardized communication tool across healthcare settings, helping guide treatment decisions and predict outcomes.
Usage
Usage note: Abbreviated as NIHSS; requires certified training for administration; scores must be documented completely.
In Context
- "The patient's admission NIH Stroke Scale score of 18 indicated moderate to severe neurological deficits." — Emergency department report
- "Serial NIH Stroke Scale assessments demonstrated improvement from 12 to 6 over the first 72 hours." — Acute care progress note