| Diagnostic criterion | Priority score* |
| Exposure to dopamine antagonist, or dopamine agonist withdrawal, within past 72 hours | 20 |
| Hyperthermia (>100.4°F or >38.0°C on at least 2 occasions, measured orally) | 18 |
| Rigidity | 17 |
| Mental status alteration (reduced or fluctuating level of consciousness) | 13 |
| Creatine kinase elevation (at least 4 times the upper limit of normal) | 10 |
Sympathetic nervous system lability, defined as at least 2 of the following: - Blood pressure elevation (systolic or diastolic ≥25 percent above baseline)
- Blood pressure fluctuation (≥20 mmHg diastolic change or ≥25 mmHg systolic change within 24 hours)
- Diaphoresis
- Urinary incontinence
| 10 |
| Hypermetabolism, defined as heart-rate increase (≥25 percent above baseline) AND respiratory-rate increase (≥50 percent above baseline) | 5 |
| Negative work-up for infectious, toxic, metabolic, or neurologic causes | 7 |
| | Total: 100 |
