The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a standardized tool used to assess stroke severity. A score of 8 typically falls within the moderate stroke severity range.
Used to document the neurological deficits and overall severity of a stroke. The NIHSS assesses level of consciousness, gaze, visual fields, facial palsy, motor function of arms and legs, limb ataxia, sensory function, language, dysarthria, and extinction/inattention.
"Patient presented to the ED with right-sided weakness and aphasia. NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score is 8 indicating moderate stroke severity."
Emergency Department, Inpatient Neurology, Stroke Unit
Common questions about using medical phrases in clinical documentation