The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) - Total Score = 0–42

1a—Level of consciousness 

     0 = Alert; keenly responsive

     1 = Not alert, but arousable by minor stimulation

     2 = Not alert; requires repeated stimulation

     3 = Unresponsive or responds only with reflex

1b—Level of consciousness questions: What is your age? What is the month?

     0 = Answers two questions correctly

     1 = Answers one question correctly

     2 = Answers neither questions correctly

1c—Level of consciousness commands: Open and close your eyes. Grip and release your hand

     0 = Performs both tasks correctly

     1 = Performs one task correctly

     2 = Performs neither task correctly

2—Best gaze 

     0 = Normal

     1 = Partial gaze palsy

     2 = Forced deviation

3—Visual 

     0 = No visual lost

     1 = Partial hemianopia

     2 =Complete hemianopia

     3 =Bilateral hemianopia

4—Facial palsy 

     0 = Normal symmetric movements

     1 = Minor paralysis

     2 = Partial paralysis

     3 =Complete paralysis of one or both sides

5—Motor arm: Left arm; Right arm

     0 = No drift

     1 = Drift

     2 = Some effort against gravity

     3 = No effort against gravity

     4 = No movement

6—Motor leg: Left leg | Right leg

     0 = No drift

     1 = Drift

     2 = Some effort against gravity

     3 = No effort against gravity

     4 = No movement

7—Limb ataxia 

     0 = Absent

     1 = Present in one limb

     2 = Present in two limbs

8—Sensory 

     0 = Normal; no sensory loss

     1 = Mild-to-moderate sensory loss

     2 = Severe-to-total sensory loss

9—Best language 

     0 = No aphasia; normal

     1 = Mild-to-moderate aphasia

     2 = Severe aphasia

     3 = Mute; global aphasia

10—Dysarthria 

     0 = Normal

     1 = Mild-to-moderate dysarthria

     2 = Severe dysarthria

11—Extinction and inattention 

     0 = No abnormality

     1 = Visual, tactile, auditory, spatial, or personal inattention

     2 = Profound hemi-inattention or extinction



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