NIHSS score 10

This code indicates a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 10, reflecting a moderate to moderately severe neurological deficit in a patient who has experienced a stroke. The NIHSS is a standardized tool used to quantify the severity of stroke symptoms based on a neurological examination.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states an NIHSS score of 10. This is typically assigned during the acute phase of an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke to assess the initial neurological impact and monitor changes over time. Documentation should include the specific NIHSS score determined by a physician or trained healthcare professional.

• Always ensure the specific NIHSS score of 10 is clearly documented; do not infer from descriptive terms like "moderate stroke."
• This code is an adjunct and should be sequenced after the primary diagnosis code for the type of stroke (e.g., I63.x for ischemic stroke).
• Do not use this code for historical NIHSS scores if the current score is different; always code the most recent and relevant score.