Practice Test GeeksNIHSS - National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Practice Test
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Neurological Flashcards

11 cards from real NIHSS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 11 Neurological flashcards as text

  1. What is the primary purpose of the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

    Answer: To assess the severity of a stroke

    The NIHSS is used to objectively quantify the impairment caused by a stroke.

  2. Which of the following is NOT a component of the NIHSS?

    Answer: Blood glucose levels

    The NIHSS assesses neurological function, including consciousness, language, and motor skills, but not blood glucose levels.

  3. How is the level of consciousness assessed in the NIHSS?

    Answer: Through a series of questions and commands

    Level of consciousness is assessed by asking the patient questions and giving simple commands.

  4. What does a score of 0 on the NIHSS indicate?

    Answer: No stroke symptoms

    A score of 0 on the NIHSS indicates no neurological deficits.

  5. Which of the following deficits is assessed under the "Motor Arm" section of the NIHSS?

    Answer: Arm movement and strength

    The "Motor Arm" section evaluates the movement and strength of the arms.

  6. How is the patient's ability to understand and use language evaluated in the NIHSS?

    Answer: By asking the patient to name objects and describe a picture

    The language section assesses comprehension and expression by having the patient name objects and describe a picture.

  7. In the NIHSS, what does a higher total score generally indicate?

    Answer: Worse neurological impairment

    A higher NIHSS score indicates more severe neurological impairment.

  8. Which aspect of vision is assessed by the NIHSS?

    Answer: Peripheral vision and visual fields

    The NIHSS assesses peripheral vision and visual fields to detect visual field deficits.

  9. When assessing limb ataxia in the NIHSS, what is being evaluated?

    Answer: Coordination and smoothness of movements

    Limb ataxia assessment evaluates coordination and smoothness of movements to identify cerebellar dysfunction.

  10. Which item on the NIHSS assesses the patient's sensory function?

    Answer: Sensory exam (pinprick to face, arm, and leg)

    The sensory function is assessed by testing the patient's response to a pinprick on the face, arm, and leg.

  11. How often should the NIHSS be administered to a patient who has experienced a stroke?

    Answer: At regular intervals to monitor progress and guide treatment

    The NIHSS should be administered at regular intervals to monitor the patient’s progress and guide treatment decisions.

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Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

  1. ninds.nih.gov — Exam format · verified Oct 2026
  2. elearning.heart.org — Test delivery, eligibility, fees, renewal, score validity, retake fee, retake policy · verified Oct 2026