The NIH Stroke Scale is a common diagnostic method for assessing the severity of a stroke experienced by a patient. Here we are going to share NIH Stroke Scale Group a Patient 1-6 answers. Just read the text below carefully.
Answers – NIH Stroke Scale Group a Patient 1-6
Patient 1
- 1a- 0
- 1b- 0
- 1c- 0
- 2- 0
- 3- 0
- 4- 1
- 5a- 3
- 5b- 0
- 6a- 1
- 6b- 0
- 7- 1
- 8- 2
- 9- 0
- 10- 0
- 11- 1
Patient 2
- 1a- 0
- 1b- 2
- 1c- 0
- 2- 0
- 3- 0
- 4- 1
- 5a- 0
- 5b- 0
- 6a- 0
- 6b- 0
- 7- 0
- 8- 1
- 9- 2
- 10- 1
- 11- 0
Patient 3
- 1a- 0
- 1b- 0
- 1c- 0
- 2- 0
- 3- 0
- 4- 1
- 5a- 0
- 5b- 0
- 6a- 2
- 6b- 2
- 7- 0
- 8- 1
- 9- 0
- 10- 1
- 11- 0
Patient 4
- 1a- 0
- 1b- 0
- 1c- 0
- 2- 0
- 3- 0
- 4- 1
- 5a- 0
- 5b- 0
- 6a- 0
- 6b- 0
- 7- 0
- 8- 1
- 9- 0
- 10- 0
- 11- 0
Patient 5
- 1a- 0
- 1b- 1
- 1c- 0
- 2- 0
- 3- 2
- 4- 2
- 5a- 4
- 5b- 0
- 6a- 1
- 6b- 0
- 7- 1
- 8- 1
- 9- 1
- 10- 0
- 11- 1
Patient 6
- 1a- 0
- 1b- 0
- 1c- 0
- 2- 0
- 3- 0
- 4- 0
- 5a- 0
- 5b- 0
- 6a- 0
- 6b- 1
- 7- 0
- 8- 1
- 9- 0
- 10- 0
- 11- 0
What is the NIH Stroke Scale?
The NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a widely used tool which was built to assess the cognitive effects of a stroke. In more scientific terms, it gives a quantitative measure of stroke-related neurologic deficit (NIH Stroke Scale). Even though the NIHSS was first developed as a clinical tool for research on stroke patients, now it is utilized by health professionals to decide the severity of a stroke. Also, it helps make a common language between all people involved in a stroke patient’s treatment. In a treatment setting, the scale has 3 major purposes:
- It evaluates the severity of stroke.
- It assists determine the appropriate treatment.
- It predicts the patient outcomes.
What Does the NIH Stroke Scale Measure?
The NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) measures some aspects of brain function, including consciousness, sensation, movement, vision, speech, and language. A particular number of points are given for each of those physical and cognitive functions during a focused neurological examination. Need to know that a maximum score of 42 represents the most severe and devastating stroke.
The levels of stroke severity as measured by the NIH Stroke Scale scoring system are:
- 0 = no stroke
- 1–4 = minor stroke
- 5–15 = moderate stroke
- 15–20 = moderate/severe stroke
- 21–42 = severe stroke
How is the NIH Stroke Scale used?
The NIH Stroke Scale is made up of 11 different elements which evaluate specific ability. Score for each ability is a number between 0 & 4. 0 being normal functioning. 4 being completely impaired. The score of NIHSS patients is calculated by adding the number for each element of the scale. For your information, 42 is the highest score possible. In the NIH Stroke Scale, the higher the score, the more impaired a stroke patient is.
Reading the NIHSS Scale
To read the NIHSS scale, there are many elements that you need to learn.
- Level of consciousness
Level of consciousness is the first element of the scale. It contains three sub elements; 1a, 1b, and 1c. This element evaluates the level of alertness and responsiveness by asking a question (the patient’s age), as well as following a command (closing and opening the eyes, grasping and releasing a hand). - Best gaze
This element of the scale will evaluate possible damage to a patient’s ability for moving their eyes normally. Usually, it is tested by asking the patient to follow an object horizontally. - Visual
This element will test the patient’s visual field, their ability to view things which are not directly in front of them. For note: The focus is on the upper and lower quadrants of the visual field. - Facial palsy
This element will verify the patient’s ability for moving facial muscles. Usually, the test involves asking the patient to show their own teeth or raise their eyebrows while closing their eyes. If the patient is not responsive, then the test involves a noxious stimulus and observing the facial reaction. - Motor arm
This element will test the patient’s ability to hold their own arms up for a certain amount of time. The patient is asked to hold each arm, in turn, at a 90-degree angle if sitting or 45-degree angle if supine, palms down. A score of 0 means that the patient is able to hold their arms up for at least 10 seconds without drift. - Motor leg
Actually, this test is the same as with the motor arm, however with each leg held up at 30 degrees. A score of 0 means that the patient could hold the leg up for at least five seconds. - Limb ataxia
This element involves the finger-nose-finger and heel-shin test on both sides. It will test whether there was damage in the cerebellum, which is the motor center of the brain. - Sensory
This item will test the sensory abilities of the patient by using a pinprick and a noxious (unpleasant) stimulus. Warning: The level of response determines the score. - Best language
To know if the stroke affected the patient’s language abilities, they are asked to explain the situation in a picture. Loss of fluency, limitations on ideas which can be expressed, and other elements are utilized to evaluate the level of aphasia or speech/language impairment. - Dysarthria
This dysarthria element will test the level of slurring in a patient’s speech. - Extinction and inattention
Usually, this can be inferred by all the previous tests. It is related to the level of attention a patient pays to their environment, and also their general sensory abilities in each of the five senses.
