NIHSS
Medical abbreviation · Neurology
| Stands for | National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
NIHSS stands for National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, a neurology abbreviation.
Standardized 15-item neurological examination that quantifies stroke severity from 0 (no deficit) to 42, scoring consciousness, gaze, vision, facial palsy, limb strength, coordination, sensation, language, speech and neglect. It takes about five to ten minutes and guides acute treatment decisions.
Example: NIHSS 18 on arrival (aphasia, right hemiplegia, gaze deviation), improved to 4 after thrombectomy.
Usage notes
Developed by Thomas Brott and colleagues and published in 1989. Higher scores, particularly 6 or more, increase the likelihood of a large vessel occlusion. Stroke nurses and physicians usually complete NIHSS certification. The scale underweights posterior circulation strokes, so a low score does not exclude a disabling stroke, especially with vertigo or ataxia.
Related abbreviations
More neurology abbreviations
- MT – Mechanical thrombectomy
- mTBI – Mild traumatic brain injury
- NCS – Nerve conduction study
- NCSE – Nonconvulsive status epilepticus
- NCV – Nerve conduction velocity
- NF1 – Neurofibromatosis type 1
- NMOSD – Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
- NPH – Normal pressure hydrocephalus
- OCB – Oligoclonal bands
- PCom – Posterior communicating artery
- PCS – Post-concussion syndrome
- PD – Parkinson's disease
See all 131 neurology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.