Facial Palsy
Ask patient to show their teeth (smile)
Absent (symmetrical movement)
= 0
Mild (slight asymmetrical)
= 1
Moderate to severe (completely asymmetrical)
= 2
Arm Motor Function
Extending the arm of patient
90° (if sitting) or 45° (if supine)
Normal to Mild (limb upheld more than 10 seconds)
= 0
Moderate (limb upheld less than 10 seconds)
= 1
Severe (patient unable to raise arm against gravity)
= 2
Leg Motor Function
Extending the leg of the patient 30° (in supine)
Normal to Mild (limb upheld more than 5 seconds)
= 0
Moderate (limb upheld less than 5 seconds)
= 1
Severe (patient unable to raise arm against gravity)
= 2
Head & Gaze Deviation
Observe eyes and head deviation to one side
Absent (eye movements to both sides were possible and no head deviation was observed)
= 0
Present (eyes and head deviation to one side was observed)
= 1
Aphasia (R side)
Difficulty understanding spoken or written words.
Ask patient to follow two simple commands:
Normal (performs both tasks requested correctly)
= 0
Moderate (performs only 1 of 2 tasks requested correctly) = 1
Severe (cannot perform tasks requested correctly)
= 2
Agnosia (L side)
Inability to recognize familiar objects.
Ask patient:
Normal (recognizes arm and attempts to move arm)
= 0
Moderate (does not recognize arm or is unaware of arm) = 1
Severe (does not recognize arm and is unaware of arm)
= 2
High likelihood of LVO with a score greater than or equal to 5
R.A.C.E. is based on an abbreviated version of the NIHSS, the “gold standard” for evaluating stroke victims.