Patient Identification.

___ ___-___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___

Pt. Date of Birth ___ ___/___ ___/___ ___

Hospital ________________________(___ ___-___ ___)

Date of Exam ___ ___/___ ___/___ ___

Interval: [ ] Baseline [ ] 2 hours post treatment [ ] 24 hours post onset of symptoms ±20 minutes [ ] 7-10 days
[ ] 3 months [ ] Other ________________________________(___ ___)

Time: ___ ___:___ ___ [ ]am [ ]pm

Person Administering Scale _____________________________________

Administer stroke scale items in the order listed. Record performance in each category after each subscale exam. Do not go
back and change scores. Follow directions provided for each exam technique. Scores should reflect what the patient does, not
what the clinician thinks the patient can do. The clinician should record answers while administering the exam and work quickly.
Except where indicated, the patient should not be coached (i.e., repeated requests to patient to make a special effort).

Instructions Scale Definition Score

1a. Level of Consciousness: The investigator must choose a 0 = Alert; keenly responsive.
response if a full evaluation is prevented by such obstacles as an 1 = Not alert; but arousable by minor stimulation to obey,
endotracheal tube, language barrier, orotracheal trauma/bandages. A answer, or respond.
3 is scored only if the patient makes no movement (other than reflexive 2 = Not alert; requires repeated stimulation to attend, or is
posturing) in response to noxious stimulation. obtunded and requires strong or painful stimulation to ______
make movements (not stereotyped).
3 = Responds only with reflex motor or autonomic effects or
totally unresponsive, flaccid, and areflexic.

1b. LOC Questions: The patient is asked the month and his/her age. 0= Answers both questions correctly.
The answer must be correct - there is no partial credit for being close.
Aphasic and stuporous patients who do not comprehend the questions 1= Answers one question correctly. ______
will score 2. Patients unable to speak because of endotracheal
intubation, orotracheal trauma, severe dysarthria from any cause, 2= Answers neither question correctly.
language barrier, or any other problem not secondary to aphasia are
given a 1. It is important that only the initial answer be graded and that
the examiner not "help" the patient with verbal or non-verbal cues.

1c. LOC Commands: The patient is asked to open and close the 0 = Performs both tasks correctly.
eyes and then to grip and release the non-paretic hand. Substitute
another one step command if the hands cannot be used. Credit is 1 = Performs one task correctly.
given if an unequivocal attempt is made but not completed due to
weakness. If the patient does not respond to command, the task 2 = Performs neither task correctly. ______
should be demonstrated to him or her (pantomime), and the result
scored (i.e., follows none, one or two commands). Patients with
trauma, amputation, or other physical impediments should be given
suitable one-step commands. Only the first attempt is scored.

2. Best Gaze: Only horizontal eye movements will be tested. 0 = Normal.

Voluntary or reflexive (oculocephalic) eye movements will be scored,
but caloric testing is not done. If the patient has a conjugate 1 = Partial gaze palsy; gaze is abnormal in one or both eyes,
deviation of the eyes that can be overcome by voluntary or reflexive but forced deviation or total gaze paresis is not present. ______
activity, the score will be 1. If a patient has an isolated peripheral
nerve paresis (CN III, IV or VI), score a 1. Gaze is testable in all 2 = Forced deviation, or total gaze paresis not overcome by the
aphasic patients. Patients with ocular trauma, bandages, pre-existing oculocephalic maneuver.
blindness, or other disorder of visual acuity or fields should be tested
with reflexive movements, and a choice made by the investigator.
Establishing eye contact and then moving about the patient from side
to side will occasionally clarify the presence of a partial gaze palsy.

Rev 10/1/2003
 Patient Identification. ___ ___-___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___

Pt. Date of Birth ___ ___/___ ___/___ ___

Hospital ________________________(___ ___-___ ___)

Date of Exam ___ ___/___ ___/___ ___

Interval: [ ] Baseline [ ] 2 hours post treatment [ ] 24 hours post onset of symptoms ±20 minutes [ ] 7-10 days
[ ] 3 months [ ] Other ________________________________(___ ___)

3. Visual: Visual fields (upper and lower quadrants) are tested by 0 = No visual loss.
confrontation, using finger counting or visual threat, as appropriate.
Patients may be encouraged, but if they look at the side of the 1 = Partial hemianopia.
moving fingers appropriately, this can be scored as normal. If there is ______
unilateral blindness or enucleation, visual fields in the remaining eye 2 = Complete hemianopia.
are scored. Score 1 only if a clear-cut asymmetry, including
quadrantanopia, is found. If patient is blind from any cause, score 3. 3 = Bilateral hemianopia (blind including cortical blindness).
Double simultaneous stimulation is performed at this point. If there is
extinction, patient receives a 1, and the results are used to respond to
item 11.

4. Facial Palsy: Ask – or use pantomime to encourage – the patient 0 = Normal symmetrical movements.
to show teeth or raise eyebrows and close eyes. Score symmetry of 1 = Minor paralysis (flattened nasolabial fold, asymmetry on
grimace in response to noxious stimuli in the poorly responsive or smiling).
non-comprehending patient. If facial trauma/bandages, orotracheal 2 = Partial paralysis (total or near-total paralysis of lower ______
tube, tape or other physical barriers obscure the face, these should face).
be removed to the extent possible. 3 = Complete paralysis of one or both sides (absence of
facial movement in the upper and lower face).

5. Motor Arm: The limb is placed in the appropriate position: extend 0 = No drift; limb holds 90 (or 45) degrees for full 10 seconds.
the arms (palms down) 90 degrees (if sitting) or 45 degrees (if 1 = Drift; limb holds 90 (or 45) degrees, but drifts down before
supine). Drift is scored if the arm falls before 10 seconds. The full 10 seconds; does not hit bed or other support.
aphasic patient is encouraged using urgency in the voice and 2 = Some effort against gravity; limb cannot get to or
pantomime, but not noxious stimulation. Each limb is tested in turn, maintain (if cued) 90 (or 45) degrees, drifts down to bed,
beginning with the non-paretic arm. Only in the case of amputation or but has some effort against gravity.
joint fusion at the shoulder, the examiner should record the score as 3 = No effort against gravity; limb falls.
untestable (UN), and clearly write the explanation for this choice. 4 = No movement.
UN = Amputation or joint fusion, explain: _____________________

5a. Left Arm ______

5b. Right Arm ______

6. Motor Leg: The limb is placed in the appropriate position: hold 0 = No drift; leg holds 30-degree position for full 5 seconds.
the leg at 30 degrees (always tested supine). Drift is scored if the leg 1 = Drift; leg falls by the end of the 5-second period but does
falls before 5 seconds. The aphasic patient is encouraged using not hit bed.
urgency in the voice and pantomime, but not noxious stimulation. 2 = Some effort against gravity; leg falls to bed by 5
Each limb is tested in turn, beginning with the non-paretic leg. Only seconds, but has some effort against gravity.
in the case of amputation or joint fusion at the hip, the examiner 3 = No effort against gravity; leg falls to bed immediately.
should record the score as untestable (UN), and clearly write the 4 = No movement.
explanation for this choice. UN = Amputation or joint fusion, explain: ________________

6a. Left Leg ______

6b. Right Leg

Rev 10/1/2003
 Patient Identification. ___ ___-___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___

Pt. Date of Birth ___ ___/___ ___/___ ___

Hospital ________________________(___ ___-___ ___)

Date of Exam ___ ___/___ ___/___ ___

Interval: [ ] Baseline [ ] 2 hours post treatment [ ] 24 hours post onset of symptoms ±20 minutes [ ] 7-10 days
[ ] 3 months [ ] Other ________________________________(___ ___)

______
7. Limb Ataxia: This item is aimed at finding evidence of a unilateral 0 = Absent.
cerebellar lesion. Test with eyes open. In case of visual defect,
ensure testing is done in intact visual field. The finger-nose-finger 1 = Present in one limb. ______
and heel-shin tests are performed on both sides, and ataxia is scored
only if present out of proportion to weakness. Ataxia is absent in the 2 = Present in two limbs.
patient who cannot understand or is paralyzed. Only in the case of
amputation or joint fusion, the examiner should record the score as UN = Amputation or joint fusion, explain: ________________
untestable (UN), and clearly write the explanation for this choice. In
case of blindness, test by having the patient touch nose from
extended arm position.

8. Sensory: Sensation or grimace to pinprick when tested, or 0 = Normal; no sensory loss.

withdrawal from noxious stimulus in the obtunded or aphasic patient.
Only sensory loss attributed to stroke is scored as abnormal and the 1 = Mild-to-moderate sensory loss; patient feels pinprick is
examiner should test as many body areas (arms [not hands], legs, less sharp or is dull on the affected side; or there is a
trunk, face) as needed to accurately check for hemisensory loss. A loss of superficial pain with pinprick, but patient is aware
score of 2, “severe or total sensory loss,” should only be given when of being touched. ______
a severe or total loss of sensation can be clearly demonstrated.
Stuporous and aphasic patients will, therefore, probably score 1 or 0. 2 = Severe to total sensory loss; patient is not aware of
The patient with brainstem stroke who has bilateral loss of sensation being touched in the face, arm, and leg.
is scored 2. If the patient does not respond and is quadriplegic, score
2. Patients in a coma (item 1a=3) are automatically given a 2 on this
item.

9. Best Language: A great deal of information about comprehension 0 = No aphasia; normal.

will be obtained during the preceding sections of the examination.
For this scale item, the patient is asked to describe what is happening 1 = Mild-to-moderate aphasia; some obvious loss of fluency
in the attached picture, to name the items on the attached naming or facility of comprehension, without significant
sheet and to read from the attached list of sentences. limitation on ideas expressed or form of expression.
Comprehension is judged from responses here, as well as to all of Reduction of speech and/or comprehension, however,
the commands in the preceding general neurological exam. If visual makes conversation about provided materials difficult
loss interferes with the tests, ask the patient to identify objects placed or impossible. For example, in conversation about
in the hand, repeat, and produce speech. The intubated patient provided materials, examiner can identify picture or
should be asked to write. The patient in a coma (item 1a=3) will naming card content from patient’s response. ______
automatically score 3 on this item. The examiner must choose a
score for the patient with stupor or limited cooperation, but a score of 2 = Severe aphasia; all communication is through fragmentary
3 should be used only if the patient is mute and follows no one-step expression; great need for inference, questioning, and guessing
commands. by the listener. Range of information that can be exchanged is
limited; listener carries burden of communication. Examiner
cannot identify materials provided from patient response.

3 = Mute, global aphasia; no usable speech or auditory

comprehension.

10. Dysarthria: If patient is thought to be normal, an adequate 0 = Normal.

sample of speech must be obtained by asking patient to read or 1 = Mild-to-moderate dysarthria; patient slurs at least some
repeat words from the attached list. If the patient has severe words and, at worst, can be understood with some
aphasia, the clarity of articulation of spontaneous speech can be difficulty. ______
rated. Only if the patient is intubated or has other physical barriers to 2 = Severe dysarthria; patient's speech is so slurred as to be
producing speech, the examiner should record the score as unintelligible in the absence of or out of proportion to
untestable (UN), and clearly write an explanation for this choice. Do any dysphasia, or is mute/anarthric.
not tell the patient why he or she is being tested. UN = Intubated or other physical barrier,
explain:_____________________________

Rev 10/1/2003
 Patient Identification. ___ ___-___ ___ ___-___ ___ ___

Pt. Date of Birth ___ ___/___ ___/___ ___

Hospital ________________________(___ ___-___ ___)

Date of Exam ___ ___/___ ___/___ ___

Interval: [ ] Baseline [ ] 2 hours post treatment [ ] 24 hours post onset of symptoms ±20 minutes [ ] 7-10 days
[ ] 3 months [ ] Other ________________________________(___ ___)

11. Extinction and Inattention (formerly Neglect): Sufficient 0 = No abnormality.

information to identify neglect may be obtained during the prior
testing. If the patient has a severe visual loss preventing visual 1 = Visual, tactile, auditory, spatial, or personal inattention
double simultaneous stimulation, and the cutaneous stimuli are or extinction to bilateral simultaneous stimulation in one ______
normal, the score is normal. If the patient has aphasia but does of the sensory modalities.
appear to attend to both sides, the score is normal. The presence of
visual spatial neglect or anosagnosia may also be taken as evidence 2 = Profound hemi-inattention or extinction to more than
of abnormality. Since the abnormality is scored only if present, the one modality; does not recognize own hand or orients
item is never untestable. to only one side of space.

______

______

Rev 10/1/2003
You know how.

Down to earth.

I got home from work.

Near the table in the dining

room.

They heard him speak on the

radio last night.
 MAMA

TIP – TOP

FIFTY – FIFTY

THANKS

HUCKLEBERRY

BASEBALL PLAYER