NIH Stroke Scale/Score (NIHSS) Calculator

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NIH Stroke Scale/Score (NIHSS) Calculator
1A: Level of consciousness
1B: Ask month and age
1C: ‘Blink eyes’ & ‘squeeze hands’
2: Horizontal extraocular movements (Only assess horizontal gaze)
3: Visual fields
4: Facial palsy (Use grimace if obtunded)
5A: Left arm motor drift (Count out loud and use your fingers to show the patient your count)
5B: Right arm motor drift (Count out loud and use your fingers to show the patient your count)
6A: Left leg motor drift (Count out loud and use your fingers to show the patient your count)
6B: Right leg motor drift (Count out loud and use your fingers to show the patient your count)
7: Limb Ataxia FNF/heel-shin
8: Sensation
9: Language/aphasia {Describe the scene; name the items; read the sentences (see Evidence)}
10: Dysarthria {Read the words (see Evidence)}
11: Extinction/inattention
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Hello, mathematical marvel! Ready for a thrilling dive into the mesmerizing world of the NIH Stroke Scale/Score (NIHSS) calculation formula? Think of formulas as the ultimate brain teasers, a little tricky but incredibly rewarding! Alright, let’s get serious and unravel this mystery.

The formula for NIHSS is as follows:

NIHSS = Σ (scores of all categories)

Every neurological deficit category in the NIHSS is scored independently, with the total score possible ranging anywhere from 0 to 42.

NIHSS Score Interpretation

NIHSS Score Stroke Severity
0-4 Minor Stroke
5-15 Moderate Stroke
16-20 Moderate to Severe Stroke
21-42 Severe Stroke

NIHSS Score Examples

Patient NIHSS Score Calculation
John Doe 8 (1+2+0+1+1+2+1)
Jane Doe 15 (2+2+3+2+2+2+2)

NIHSS Calculation Methods

Method Advantage Disadvantage Accuracy
Manual Calculation Simple to compute Prone to errors Moderate
Digital Calculation High accuracy Requires tech knowledge High

Evolution of NIHSS Calculation

Year Changes in NIHSS Calculation
1989 Introduction of NIHSS
2000 Digitization of NIHSS

Limitations of NIHSS Calculation

  1. Does not assess certain stroke symptoms like neglect.
  2. May underestimate severity of posterior circulation strokes.

Alternative Methods for NIHSS Calculation

Method Pros Cons
Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) Easy to use Less comprehensive

FAQs on NIHSS Calculator

  1. What is NIHSS? NIHSS stands for National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. It’s a quantitative measure used to assess the severity of a stroke.
  2. How accurate is NIHSS? While the NIHSS is widely used and generally accurate, it has limitations and may underestimate the severity of certain types of strokes.
  3. What does the NIHSS score mean? The NIHSS score is used to measure the severity of a stroke. The higher the score, the more severe the stroke.
  4. How is the NIHSS score calculated? The NIHSS score is calculated by adding up the scores of all the neurological deficit categories. Each category is scored separately.
  5. Can the NIHSS score change? Yes, the NIHSS score can change as the patient’s condition improves or worsens.
  6. Is a lower NIHSS score better? Yes, a lower NIHSS score indicates less severe stroke symptoms.
  7. Who can use the NIHSS? The NIHSS can be used by medical professionals to assess the severity of a stroke.
  8. When should the NIHSS be used? The NIHSS should be used as soon as possible after a stroke to provide an accurate assessment of the stroke’s severity.
  9. Can the NIHSS predict stroke outcome? While the NIHSS can provide a measure of stroke severity, it does not predict the outcome of the stroke.
  10. What are the limitations of the NIHSS? The NIHSS does not assess certain stroke symptoms and may underestimate the severity of posterior circulation strokes.

References

  1. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NINDS. A valuable government resource for understanding neurological disorders and stroke.