NIHSS Sensory Testing 5

Question 1

During serial NIHSS assessments, a patient's sensory score improves from 2 to 0 over 6 hours. What does this suggest clinically?

Accepted Answer

Sensory recovery, possibly from reperfusion or TIA resolution

Answer

Rapid improvement from severe sensory loss to normal may indicate reperfusion after thrombolysis or resolution of a TIA.

Question 2

A patient with sensory neglect on the left side consistently ignores stimuli on the left when both sides are stimulated simultaneously. Is this scored under NIHSS Item 8?

Accepted Answer

No, extinction to double simultaneous stimulation is scored under Item 11

Answer

Extinction to double simultaneous stimulation is captured under NIHSS Item 11 (Extinction and Inattention), not Item 8.

Question 3

A patient with a pontine hemorrhage has decreased facial sensation on the right and decreased body sensation on the left. Which NIHSS score best reflects this crossed sensory pattern?

Accepted Answer

2 — bilateral involvement of different body parts indicates severe loss

Answer

Crossed sensory loss affecting both sides of the body (face and contralateral body) represents severe sensory dysfunction, scored 2.

Question 4

A patient reports that the affected arm feels 'dead' and has zero response to pinprick, but the face and leg have preserved sensation. What is the NIHSS sensory score?

Accepted Answer

1 — focal severe loss in one region is still partial

Answer

Complete loss in one body part with preserved sensation in others represents partial hemisensory loss, which scores 1 rather than 2.

Question 5

What is the maximum possible score for NIHSS Item 8 (Sensory)?

Accepted Answer

2

Answer

The maximum score for NIHSS Item 8 is 2, representing severe to total sensory loss on the affected side.

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NIHSS Sensory Testing 5