Final answer:
The NIHSS score predicts the likelihood of disability, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms and poorer outcomes following a stroke.
Step-by-step explanation:
The NIHSS score, which stands for National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, is utilized to quantify the impairment caused by a stroke. The NIHSS score strongly predicts likelihood of disability, with higher scores resulting in more severe symptoms and poorer outcomes. This scale is widely used by healthcare professionals to evaluate the severity of a stroke, determine appropriate treatment, and predict patient recovery. A lower NIHSS score indicates a less severe stroke with better functional prognosis, while a higher score suggests a more serious condition that may require intensive medical intervention and rehabilitation.