NMSP Exam I > Headache > Flashcards

Headache Flashcards

(43 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

Secondary headaches are a sign of?

A

Organic disease

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 10 worrisome signs which may indicate headache of pathologic origin (secondary HA)?

A
  1. “Worst HA”
  2. Onset of HA after age 50
  3. Atypical HA for patient
  4. HA w/ fever
  5. Abrupt onset (max. intensity in sec. to min.)
  6. Subacute HA w/ progressive worsening over time
  7. Drowsiness, confusion, memory impairment
  8. Weakness, ataxia, loss of coordination
  9. Paresthesias/Sensory loss/ Paralysis
  10. Abnormal medical or neurological exam
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Any patient presenting with a headache who has a “worrisome history” or abnormal examination needs what?

A
  • Urgent imaging study
  • Perhaps even a L.P. and possibly arteriogram
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Differentiate a common migraine from a classic migraine.

A
  • Common migrarine = without aura
  • Classic migraine = with aura
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the intensity, age of peak prevalence, and gender ratio for common migraines?

A
  • Intensity: moderate to severe
  • Prevalence peaks between 35-40 years
  • Gender ratio: F:M = 3:1
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the location, patient description of pain, and patient behavior with a common migraine?

A
  • Location: unilateral or bilateral
  • Description: throbbing/sharp/pressure
  • Behavior: retreat to dark, quiet room
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the 4 most common associated symptoms with a common migraine?

A
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Photophobia
  • Phonophobia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How long does the aura associated with Classic Migraines usually last?

A

Usually 15-30 mins, but sometimes longer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the common visual symptoms associated with Classic Migraines?

A
  • Scintillations: flashes of light
  • Scotoma: an interruption or break in the visual field (blind spots)

*Often hemianopic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

The most widely discussed theory about the cause of migraines says that they are caused by?

A

Neurogenic inflammation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

To be defined as a chronic migraine which criteria must be met?

A

Headache for 15 or more days/month, lasting 4 hours or longer, for a period of at least 3 months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the intensity and disability caused by Tension-Type HA’s?

A
  • Intensity: Mild to Moderate
  • Disability: May inhibit, but does NOT prohibit daily activities
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the common location, patient description of pain, and is there an associated aura/prodrome with a Tension-Type HA?

A
  • Location: bifrontal, bioccipital
  • Description: dull, aching, squeezing, pressure
  • No prodrome or aura
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which type of headache has an association with sleep apnea as a comorbidity?

A

Cluster HA

*This will be on the exam!

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the intensity and gender ratio for Cluster HA?

A
  • Intensity: severe, excruciating
  • Gender ratio: F:M = 1:6
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

In regards to monthly frequency what constitutes an episodic type vs. chronic type of Cluster HA?

A
  • Episodic type: 1 or more attacks/day for 6-8 weeks
  • Chronic type: several attacks per week without remission
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the most common location/distribution of Cluster HA’s?

A
  • 100% unilateral
  • Generally orbitotemporal
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Frenetic, pacing, and rocking behaviors are most often associated with what type of headache?

19
Q

What are some of the associated symptoms of Cluster HA’s?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Ipsilateral ptosis
  • Miosis
  • Conjunctival injection
  • Lacrimation
  • Stuffed or runny nose
20
Q

What is the normal duration for a Cluster HA?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • 30 minutes to 2 hours
  • Classic is 45 min
21
Q

What are the 5 primary types of HA?

Study These Flashcards
A
  1. Classic migraine
  2. Common migraine
  3. Chronic migraine
  4. Tension type HA
  5. Cluster HA
22
Q

What is the only FDA approved treatment for chronic migraines?

Study These Flashcards
A

BOTOX injections

23
Q

What are some underlying conditions which are contraindications for the use of Triptans in the acute treatment of migraines?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Ischemic heart disease
  • Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular disease
  • Raynaud’s syndrome
  • Uncontrolled HTN
  • Hemiplegic or basilar migraine
  • Severe renal or hepatic impairment
24
Q

Which agent/therapy can be used to break the cycle of a prolonged migraine or several weeks of frequent migraines?

Also, a good treatment for people who get in frequent cluster HA’s?

Study These Flashcards
A

A prednisone taper

25
What's Trigeminal Neuralgia? Treatment?
- **Excruciating** sharp, **shooting, electrical quality** pain **occuring in paroxysms** in **one** or more distributions of the trigeminal nerve, often freqent through the day - Treatment is usually **carbamazepine** or **oxcarbamazepine**
26
A group of headache disorders characterized by unilateral trigeminal distribution pain that occurs in association with prominent ipsilateral cranial autonomic features, describes what?
Trigeminal autonomic cephalgia (TAC's)
27
What 5 types of headache disorders are classified as Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalgias (TAC's)?
1. Cluster HA 2. Paroxysmal hemicrania 3. Hemicrania continua 4. SUNCT syndrome 5. SUNA syndrome (similar to SUNCT, but with autonomic sx's)
28
What are the characteristics of SUNCT syndrome? Location? Onset and which sex is most commonly affected?
- Shortlasting, **unilateral**, neuralgiform headache attacks w/ conjunctival injection and tearing - Excruciating, burning, stabbing electrical HA in **periorbital** area lasting **seconds to a few mins**, occuring **frequently** throughout the day - Onset typically **over 50** in **men**
29
What is the treatment for SUNCT syndrome?
- Usually anticonvulsants - Particularly **lamotrigine**
30
Which HA type is **very similar to cluster HA**, but **shorter duration** (often only a few mins) and **increased frequency** (usually \>5 times per day)?
Paroxysmal Hemicrania
31
Paroxysmal Hemicrania (HA) is exquisitely reponsive to which drug?
Indomethacin
32
As a general rule, many physicians (including neurologists) believe that any person with HA should have what type of evaluation?
A **one-time**, thorough neuroimaging study (**CT head with AND w/o contrast** or **MRI** of head)
33
What's a good oral tx for someone experiencing multiple cluster HA's in a year?
Verapamil (Ca2+ channel blocker)
34
What medication is known to cause meningitis?
**lamotrigine** | (IVIg)
35
If a pt presents with s/s of meningitis, and you are unable to get an immediate LP, what should you do?
draw blood **give dexamethasone, ceftriazon IV, vancomycin IV** switch up to more specific tx once resutls are in
36
What are the key features of HSV1 Encephalitis?
**fever**, HA, impaired consiciousness **seizures**, focal neuro s/s focal abnormalities in **temporal lobes** tx: acyclovir \*up to 25% can develop recurrent neuropsychiatric sx (sometimes with associated ABs with secondary AI encephalitis)
37
What should be on the ddx if a pt presents with rapidly progressive encephalopathy or psych disturbances?
**AI Encephalitis** especially if assoc with seizures!! --\> some are well known causes of intractable epilepsy
38
How is AI Encephalitis typically tx?
combo of immune therapies: high dose steroids IVIg plasma exhange rituximab cyclophosphamide other immunosuppressive agents
39
Who does NMDA Encephalitis typically affect? What s/s are present?
**young or middle aged women** _rapid onset (\<3 mo) of 4 of the following 6:_ - abnormal psych behavior or cognitive dysfunction - speech dysfunction - seizures - movement disorders, dyskinesias, rigidity/abnormal postures - dec level of consciousness - autonomic dysfunction or central hypventilation
40
To dx NMDA Encephalitis, you need at least one of what two tests?
**abnormal EEG** (focal or diffuse or slow or disorganized activity, epileptic activity, or _extreme delta brush_) **CSF with pleocytosis or oligocloncal bands** and/or **NMDA R ABs**
41
What is NMDA Encephalitis commonly associated with?
**teratoma**
42
What is a hallmark of LGI1 Encephalitis?
more common in men **faciobrachial dystonic seizures** (brief, involve one side of face and ispi arm) sleep disturbance may see temporal lob abnormality in some pts acutely
43
Why is it important to tx LGI1 Encephalitis?
failure to tx results in **permanent brain damage** (esp short term membory) even with tx, 1/3 relapse _\*faciobrachial seizures do NOT respond to AEDs\*_
NMSP Exam I
flashcards
Decks in class (11)
# Cards
Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2026 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions