NIHSS score 39

This code indicates a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 39, representing the most severe end of the scale. An NIHSS score of 39 signifies profound neurological deficit, typically associated with a large, debilitating acute ischemic stroke.

This code is used when a patient presents with an acute stroke and a comprehensive neurological assessment, specifically the NIHSS, yields a total score of 39. Documentation must clearly state the NIHSS score as 39, often accompanied by detailed findings across all NIHSS components (e.g., level of consciousness, motor function, language, gaze, ataxia).

• Always ensure the physician's documentation explicitly states an NIHSS score of 39.
• This code should be sequenced after the primary diagnosis code for the acute stroke (e.g., I63.x).
• Do not use this code if the NIHSS score is not precisely 39; specific codes exist for other score ranges.