NIHSS score 33

This code indicates a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 33, representing a severe neurological deficit following an acute stroke. An NIHSS score of 33 suggests profound impairment across multiple neurological domains, including consciousness, motor function, sensation, and language. This level of severity typically correlates with a very poor prognosis and significant disability.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states an NIHSS score of 33 for a patient presenting with an acute cerebrovascular event. This score is typically assessed by trained medical professionals in the emergency department or acute care setting to quantify stroke severity. Documentation must clearly specify the NIHSS score.

• Always ensure the specific NIHSS score is documented; do not extrapolate from general descriptions of severe stroke.
• This code is always a secondary diagnosis, accompanying the primary code for the specific type of stroke (e.g., ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage).
• Do not confuse this with other NIHSS score codes; each score has a unique code.