NIHSS Language and Aphasia 4

Question 1

Which of the following tasks is NOT included in the standard NIHSS language assessment (Item 9)?

Accepted Answer

Repeating a tongue-twister sentence rapidly

Answer

Rapid repetition for tongue twisters tests dysarthria (Item 10), not language (Item 9); the language item uses picture description, naming, and sentence reading.

Question 2

A patient with Wernicke's aphasia asks 'what do you want me to do?' after being asked to lift their arm. Which NIHSS item does this primarily affect?

Accepted Answer

Item 9 — Language (comprehension failure)

Answer

The inability to understand verbal commands reflects receptive aphasia and would raise the NIHSS Item 9 language score, not just the motor item.

Question 3

A patient says 'pen' correctly, then calls a comb a 'pen' as well. This error is best classified as:

Accepted Answer

Perseveration

Answer

Perseveration occurs when a patient inappropriately repeats a previous response for a new stimulus, a common error in aphasia assessment.

Question 4

In NIHSS scoring, if a patient has mild word-finding difficulty but communication is still possible, the correct Item 9 score is:

Accepted Answer

1

Answer

Mild to moderate aphasia that still allows some communication corresponds to a score of 1 on NIHSS Item 9.

Question 5

Which right-hemisphere stroke finding can be mistaken for language impairment during NIHSS assessment?

Accepted Answer

Left hemispatial neglect causing the patient to ignore left-side pictures

Answer

Left hemispatial neglect from right hemisphere stroke may cause the patient to miss left-side elements of the naming or picture card, mimicking language errors.

NIHSS - National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Practice Test

NIHSS - National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Practice Test

NIHSS Language and Aphasia 4