Diagnosis
Table 2. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
Tested Item
Title
Responses and Scores
1A
Level of consciousness
0 – Alert
1 – Drowsy
2 – Obtunded
3 – Coma/unresponsive
1B
Orientation questions (2)
0 – Answers both correctly
1 – Answers 1 correctly
2 – Answers neither correctly
1C
Response to commands (2)
0 – Performs both tasks correctly
1 – Performs 1 task correctly
2 – Performs neither
2
Gaze
0 – Normal horizontal movements
1 – Partial gaze palsy
2 – Complete gaze palsy
3
Visual fields
0 – No visual field defect
1 – Partial hemianopia
2 – Complete hemianopia
3 – Bilateral hemianopia
4
Facial movement
0 – Normal
1 – Minor facial weakness
2 – Partial facial weakness
3 – Complete unilateral palsy
5
Motor function (arm)
a. left
b. right
0 – No drift
1 – Drift before 5 seconds
2 – Falls before 10 seconds
3 – No effort against gravity
4 – No movement
2
