American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

What does the NIHSS Stroke Scale assess?

1. Heart rate variability

2. Neurological status in stroke patients

3. Pain levels in patients

4. Muscle strength

The correct answer is: Neurological status in stroke patients

The NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) is specifically designed to quantify the impairment caused by a stroke and assess the neurological status of stroke patients. It evaluates various aspects of neurological function, including consciousness, motor function, and language skills, through a series of standardized tests. Each component of the NIHSS helps in determining the severity of a stroke and aids in guiding treatment decisions and predicting outcomes. The other options are not applicable in this context. For instance, while heart rate variability is an important measure in cardiology, it does not pertain to stroke assessment. Similarly, pain levels are not the primary focus of the NIHSS; the scale is more concerned with neurological deficits rather than subjective pain experiences. Although muscle strength is a component of the neurological assessment, it is only one part of the broader evaluation process that the NIHSS encompasses. Thus, the most accurate description of what the NIHSS Stroke Scale assesses is indeed the neurological status in stroke patients.