NIHSS Sensory Testing 4

Question 1

Which NIHSS score correctly describes 'patient is aware of being touched but cannot identify sharpness versus dullness on the affected side'?

Accepted Answer

1

Answer

Inability to distinguish sharp from dull while still perceiving touch represents mild-to-moderate sensory loss, scored 1.

Question 2

A patient with a right hemisphere stroke shows no grimace, withdrawal, or any behavioral response to pinprick on the left side. The right side responds normally. What is the score?

Accepted Answer

2

Answer

Complete absence of response to pinprick on the affected side with normal contralateral response indicates severe/total sensory loss, scored 2.

Question 3

Why does the NIHSS instruct examiners to give a confused or aphasic patient a score of 1 rather than 2, unless evidence of bilateral or widespread loss exists?

Accepted Answer

Because behavioral assessment may underestimate preserved sensation

Answer

Confused or aphasic patients may not demonstrate reliable responses, so a score of 1 is used to avoid over-scoring unless loss is clearly severe and widespread.

Question 4

A patient reports no sensory symptoms but the examiner detects that pinprick feels less sharp on the right arm. How is this scored?

Accepted Answer

1 — examiner-detected asymmetry is scored regardless of patient report

Answer

NIHSS Item 8 is based on examination findings; detected asymmetry on testing scores 1 even if the patient denies subjective symptoms.

Question 5

How is sensory testing on the face performed during NIHSS assessment?

Accepted Answer

Apply pinprick to both cheeks and compare responses

Answer

Facial sensory testing involves applying pinprick to both cheeks and comparing the patient's response on each side.

NIHSS - National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Practice Test

NIHSS - National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Practice Test

NIHSS Sensory Testing 4