NIHSS Extinction and Inattention 5

Question 1

A patient's NIHSS Item 11 score changes from 2 to 1 over 24 hours. This change MOST likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Improvement from multi-modal to single-modality neglect

Answer

A decrease from 2 to 1 indicates the patient's neglect has improved from multiple modalities to only one, reflecting neurological recovery.

Question 2

Which of the following clinical pearls is TRUE regarding NIHSS Item 11 in acute stroke?

Accepted Answer

Right hemisphere strokes produce more severe and persistent neglect than left hemisphere strokes

Answer

Right hemisphere lesions produce more severe and durable hemispatial neglect because the right hemisphere subserves bilateral spatial attention.

Question 3

When scoring NIHSS Item 11, the examiner should use information from:

Accepted Answer

Both the formal double simultaneous stimulation test and behavioral observations during the exam

Answer

NIHSS Item 11 incorporates both formal stimulation testing and behavioral cues observed throughout the examination.

Question 4

A patient with global aphasia is tested for Item 11. The examiner touches both hands; the patient consistently withdraws only the right hand and orients toward the right. The appropriate score is:

Accepted Answer

1 — possible extinction in one modality

Answer

Consistent behavioral responses (withdrawal and orienting) allow scoring; one modality with apparent extinction scores 1.

Question 5

What is the maximum contribution of NIHSS Item 11 to the total NIHSS score?

Accepted Answer

2 points

Answer

Item 11 is scored 0–2, so its maximum contribution to the total NIHSS score is 2 points.

NIHSS - National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Practice Test

NIHSS - National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Practice Test

NIHSS Extinction and Inattention 5