NIHSS score 34

This code indicates a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 34, reflecting a severe neurological deficit typically observed in patients experiencing an acute ischemic stroke. The NIHSS is a standardized tool used to quantify the severity of stroke symptoms based on various neurological assessments. A score of 34 signifies profound impairment across multiple domains, including consciousness, motor function, sensation, and language.

Use this code when a patient's medical record explicitly documents an NIHSS score of 34 following an acute stroke event. This score is often recorded during initial assessment in the emergency department, upon admission, or during subsequent neurological evaluations. Documentation must clearly state the NIHSS score as 34.

• Always sequence this code after the primary diagnosis code for the acute stroke (e.g., I63.x).
• Ensure the documentation specifies "NIHSS score 34" and not a range or approximation.
• Do not use this code if the NIHSS score is not explicitly documented as 34; select the appropriate code for the documented score.