Central Nervous System

Question 1

A 32 year old woman presents to the pharmacy one Monday afternoon complaining of a headache. Based on epidemiology alone, what would be the most likely cause of the headache?
a. migraine
b. eye strain
c. tension-type headache
d. sinusitis
e. cluster headache

Answer 1

c. tension-type headache

Question 2

A 41 year old man wants some advice about his headache. He reveals that the pain is towards the front of his head. Knowing this information, what headache conditions cannot be ruled out based on location?
a. migraine
b. temporal arteritis
c. subarachnoid haemorrhage
d. sinusitis
e. cluster headache

Answer 2

c. subarachnoid haemorrhage

Question 3

When differentiating headaches from one another, it is useful to consider other symptoms to aid diagnosis, with some symptoms warranting referral. From the list of symptoms below, which would indicate referral for a patients suffering with headache?
a. flashing or flickering lights
b. pins and needles in the arms
c. scalp tenderness
d. symptoms that improve as the day progresses
e. symptoms that last longer than 1 week

Answer 3

c. scalp tenderness

Question 4

From the following descriptions, which one best describes the headache symptoms of migraine?
a. pain that is unilateral and lancing
b. pain that is unilateral, orbital and boring
c. pain that is unilateral, frontal and dull
d. pain that is unilateral and temporal
e. pain that is unilateral and throbbing

Answer 4

e. pain that is unilateral and throbbing

Question 5

A 41 year old man wants some advice about his headache. He tells you that he has had the symptoms for a couple of days. The headache is at the front of his head and it feels like a dull throb. Which of the questions listed below would be most discriminatory in assessing if it were a migraine or tension-type headache?
a. How severe is the pain?
b. What medicines does the patient take?
c. What medicines has the patient tried to erase the pain?
d. Headache in children younger than 12 years, with no signs of infection.
e. Headache associated with cough and cold symptoms

Answer 5

e. Headache associated with cough and cold symptoms

Question 6

Which sign or symptom warrants referral?
a. headache lasting 7 to 10 days
b. headache described as vice-like
c. headache associated with workplace environment
d. headache in children younger than 12 years, with no sign of infection
e. headache associated with cough and cold symptoms

Answer 6

d. headache in children younger than 12 years, with no sign of infection

Question 7

Chronic insomnia is associated with which of the following?
a. Change in work shift patterns
b. Acute stressful situations
c. Foreign travel
d. Excessive caffeine intake
e. None of the above

Answer 7

e. None of the above

Question 8

Which complementary therapy/medicine has the most evidence to support its use in treating insomnia?
a. acupuncture
b. lavender
c. chamomile
d. valerian
e. reflexology

Answer 8

d. valerian

Question 9

Many medicines can induce nausea and/or vomiting. From the list below, which medicine is most likely to have this effect?
a. paracetamol
b. diphenhydramine
c. omeprazole
d. sumatriptan
e. thyroxine

Answer 9

c. omeprazole

Question 10

A patient has nausea and vomiting. Which statement would potentially alert you to refer the patient:
a. Symptoms more than 48 hours in an adult
b. Symptoms more than 24 hours in an 18 month old
c. Symptoms more than 24 hours in a 9 month old
d. Symptoms less than 24 hours in an adult
e. Symptoms less than 48 hours in adult

Answer 10

c. Symptoms more than 24 hours in a 9 month old

Question 11

An elderly woman presents with a headache. Which one of the following symptoms require you to make an urgent referral to the doctor?
a. unilateral headache with associated nausea
b. bilateral headache with symptoms that worsen as the day progresses
c. unilateral frontal headache, which worsens on bending down
d. bilateral generalized headache
e. unilateral headache with malaise

Answer 11

e. unilateral headache with malaise

Question 12

From the list of conditions known to cause nausea and/or vomiting, which is most associated with additional symptoms of diarrhoea?
a. cholecystitis
b. migraine
c. gastritis
d. gastroenteritis
e. otitis media

Answer 12

d. gastroenteritis

Question 13

A 51 year old woman wants some advice about her headache. She reveals that the pain is toward the front and affects both sides of her head. Knowing this information, what headache condition is most likely?
a. migraine
b. temporal arteritis
c. subarachnoid haemorrhage
d. sinusitis
e. cluster headache

Answer 13

d. sinusitis

Question 14

Mrs Jones presents to the pharmacy complaining of headaches. She tells you that the pain has been present for the last 24 hours and is at the front of her head, and she has felt a little sick. Based on this information, what would be the most likely diagnosis?
a. tension-type headache
b. temporal arteritis
c. migraine
d. sinusitis
e. haematoma

Answer 14

c. migraine

Question 15

Nausea and vomiting in children under 1 year of age is common. In which condition listed below is nausea and vomiting most commonly seen in this age group?
a. otitis media
b. menieres disease
c. urinary tract infection
d. upper respiratory tract infection
e. feeding difficulties

Answer 15

c. urinary tract infection

Question 16

Which condition is more common in men?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 16

b. cluster headache

Question 17

Which condition is seen with advancing age but shows no gender bias?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 17

i. glaucoma

Question 18

Which conditions onset tends to be in early adulthood?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 18

c. migraine

Question 19

Which condition is more common in women?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 19

c. migraine

Question 20

Which condition is frequently seen in older women?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 20

d. temporal arteritis

Question 21

Which condition is secondary to infection?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 21

a. sinusitis

Question 22

Which condition is most frequently seen in young children?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 22

e. meningitis

Question 23

Which condition is the most prevalent headache condition?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 23

f. tension-type headache

Question 24

Which condition is associated with nasal congestion and severe headache?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 24

b. cluster headache

Question 25

Which condition’s pain is occipital?
a. sinusitis
b. cluster headache
c. migraine
d. temporal arteritis
e. meningitis
f. tension-type headache
g. subarachnoid haemorrhage
h. medication overuse headache
i. glaucoma

Answer 25

g. subarachnoid haemorrhage