What should be done if a patient shows an increase in NIHSS score?

When a patient shows an increase in their NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) score, it is crucial to notify the physician immediately. The NIHSS is a quantitative measure used to assess the severity of a stroke and monitor changes in a patient's neurological status. An increase in the score typically indicates a deterioration in the patient's condition, which may suggest a new stroke occurrence, a worsening of the existing stroke, or other complications.

Timely notification allows for prompt intervention, which is critical in stroke management. Early detection of changes in a patient’s neurological status facilitates timely treatment that can potentially improve outcomes, prevent further complications, or address emergent issues effectively.

While documenting the changes is necessary, it should not be the sole action taken. Simply documenting the change without notifying the physician could lead to delays in care. A multi-disciplinary team meeting or reassessing after a specified duration may be considered in certain contexts, but immediate notification of the physician takes precedence to ensure rapid response to a potential decline in the patient's neurological function.