This article discusses the components of the NIHSS, when it is given, and how it is used.
Getty Images / David Sacks
What Is a Stroke?
When blood flow to the brain is blocked or restricted, parts of the brain become damaged or die.
Getty Images / David Sacks
The severity of a stroke varies depending on the size and extent of the blockage.
Stroke is the fifth most common cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States.
What Does the NIHSS Measure?
The NIHSS contains 15 questions covering 11 elements that measure specific functions.
The elements include:
Each element is evaluated with a numerical score.
The higher the number, the greater impairment for that specific function.
A maximum score of 42 represents the most severe and devastating stroke.
The NIHSS is a standardized tool that measures and records the level of impairment sparked by a stroke.
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