NIHSS score 6

This code indicates a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 6, reflecting a moderate neurological deficit in a patient who has experienced a stroke. The NIHSS is a systematic assessment tool used to quantify the severity of stroke-related neurological impairment. A score of 6 suggests a noticeable impact on functions such as consciousness, motor strength, sensation, or language.

This code is used when documentation explicitly states an NIHSS score of 6 for a patient with an acute cerebrovascular event. It is typically applied during the initial assessment of a stroke patient in an emergency department or acute care setting. Documentation must clearly specify the NIHSS score as 6, often alongside the primary stroke diagnosis.

• Always sequence the primary stroke diagnosis (e.g., I63.x) before this code.
• Ensure the medical record clearly documents the NIHSS score as "6" and not a range or an unspecific finding.
• Do not use this code if the NIHSS score is not explicitly documented as 6; use the appropriate code for the documented score.