NIHSS score 8

This code indicates a specific score of 8 on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The NIHSS is a standardized, systematic assessment tool used to quantify the severity of neurological deficits resulting from an acute stroke. A score of 8 suggests a moderate stroke.

Use this code when the patient's medical record explicitly documents an NIHSS score of 8, typically following an acute cerebrovascular event such as an ischemic stroke or intracranial hemorrhage. This score is often recorded during the initial assessment in the emergency department or upon admission.

• Always ensure the specific NIHSS score is clearly documented by the physician.
• This code is typically used as a secondary diagnosis to provide further detail on stroke severity.
• Do not assign this code without explicit documentation of the NIHSS score; do not infer from clinical findings alone.