NIHSS Group A Patient 5

Question 1

In Group A patient testing, the patient reads from a standardized card but makes several literal paraphasic errors. Under Item 9 (Best Language), what score is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

1 — mild to moderate aphasia

Answer

Literal paraphasic errors with preserved ability to communicate represent mild to moderate aphasia, scored as 1.

Question 2

The Group A patient is sitting up for the motor arm test. The examiner should hold the arm at what angle for Item 5?

Accepted Answer

90 degrees

Answer

When the patient is sitting, the arm is held at 90 degrees for the motor arm test in Items 5a and 5b.

Question 3

In a Group A patient scenario, bilateral visual field loss is confirmed. What is the Item 3 (Visual Fields) score, and what additional consequence does this have?

Accepted Answer

Score 3; Item 11 extinction testing becomes invalid

Answer

Bilateral hemianopia is scored as 3, and when bilateral blindness is present, Item 11 visual extinction testing cannot be validly performed.

Question 4

When testing Item 8 (Sensory) in the Group A patient who is aphasic, how should the examiner assess sensory function?

Accepted Answer

Use facial grimacing or withdrawal to determine response

Answer

In aphasic patients, sensory scoring should rely on observable reactions such as facial grimacing or limb withdrawal to pin stimuli.

Question 5

The Group A patient has right arm drift to the bed at 8 seconds with clear effort against gravity during the first few seconds. Which Item 5b score is correct?

Accepted Answer

2 — arm falls to bed but some effort against gravity

Answer

Score 2 applies when the arm falls to the bed within 10 seconds but some initial effort against gravity was demonstrated.

NIHSS - National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Practice Test

NIHSS - National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Practice Test

NIHSS Group A Patient 5