PHRM 3820 Headache Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: pain
Answer: uncomfortable or unpleasant sensation (ache, burn, sting, etc.) or emotional experience that occurs
when a tissue is injured or becoming injured
Question 2: What is the purpose of pain?
Answer: to prevent further damage
Question 3: What percent of people had a migraine in the last year?
Answer: 50% (30% of those had a migraine)
Question 4: primary headache
Answer: 90% no underlying illness most primary disorders present prior to age 50
Question 5: secondary headache
Answer: 10% symptoms of underlying cause/condition
Question 6: 2 types of tension headache
Answer: episodic chronic (15 days/month for 3 months)
Question 7: What are the 4 types of headache?
Answer: tension migraine sinus cluster
Question 8: potential causes of secondary headaches
Answer: head trauma stroke substance abuse/withdrawal disorders of craniofacial structures medication
overuse
Question 9: medication overuse headaches
Answer: triptans, ergots, opioids, combo for >9 days/month acetaminophen or NSAIDs >15 days/month
caffeine >200mg/day
Question 10: location/description/duration of tension headaches
Answer: bilateral pressure/tightening, mild/moderate 30min-7 days no nausea; photophobia or phonophobia
possible
Page 1
, Question 11: location/description/duration of migraines
Answer: unilateral (except in children) pulsating, moderate/severe 4-72 hrs n/v, photo or phonophobia, w/
or w/o aura
Question 12: location/description/duration of sinus headaches
Answer: face, forehead, periorbital area sinus pressure, pressure behind eyes or face, dull resolves with
sinus symptoms sinus symptoms, nasal discharge
Question 13: location/description/duration of cluster headaches
Answer: unilateral (behind one eye) fast onset, severe, sharp 15min-3hrs lacrimation, nasal congestion,
rhinorrhea, eyelid edema
Question 14: aura
Answer: sensory disturbances that occur before pain visual changes, numbness in hand or face,
speech/language difficulty, muscle weakness
Question 15: In what populations are cluster headaches more common?
Answer: men smokers, secondhand smoke
Question 16: treatment of cluster headaches
Answer: NOT OTC triptans (injectable, intranasal), oxygen preventative: verapamil, lithium
Question 17: exclusions for self treatment of headache
Answer: severe head pain change in pattern (first headache, gradual escalation) longer than 10 days
secondary headache (except sinus) migraine symptoms (w/o diagnosis) neurological change stiff neck
(meningitis or stroke) high fever or infection 3rd trimester of pregnancy < 8 yrs old liver disease or >3
drinks/day co-morbid condition (cancer, HIV)
Question 18: treatment of tension headache
Answer: relaxation exercises, physical therapy APAP, ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin preventative:
amitriptyline, nortriptyline, bus-irons, tizanidine
Question 19: treatment of migraines
Answer: avoid triggers (stress, fatigue, irregular sleep, meds, caffeine, alcohol, menses, weather) APAP,
NSAIDs (mild) Rx: triptans, ergot alkaloids, opioids (severe)
Page 2
Question 1: pain
Answer: uncomfortable or unpleasant sensation (ache, burn, sting, etc.) or emotional experience that occurs
when a tissue is injured or becoming injured
Question 2: What is the purpose of pain?
Answer: to prevent further damage
Question 3: What percent of people had a migraine in the last year?
Answer: 50% (30% of those had a migraine)
Question 4: primary headache
Answer: 90% no underlying illness most primary disorders present prior to age 50
Question 5: secondary headache
Answer: 10% symptoms of underlying cause/condition
Question 6: 2 types of tension headache
Answer: episodic chronic (15 days/month for 3 months)
Question 7: What are the 4 types of headache?
Answer: tension migraine sinus cluster
Question 8: potential causes of secondary headaches
Answer: head trauma stroke substance abuse/withdrawal disorders of craniofacial structures medication
overuse
Question 9: medication overuse headaches
Answer: triptans, ergots, opioids, combo for >9 days/month acetaminophen or NSAIDs >15 days/month
caffeine >200mg/day
Question 10: location/description/duration of tension headaches
Answer: bilateral pressure/tightening, mild/moderate 30min-7 days no nausea; photophobia or phonophobia
possible
Page 1
, Question 11: location/description/duration of migraines
Answer: unilateral (except in children) pulsating, moderate/severe 4-72 hrs n/v, photo or phonophobia, w/
or w/o aura
Question 12: location/description/duration of sinus headaches
Answer: face, forehead, periorbital area sinus pressure, pressure behind eyes or face, dull resolves with
sinus symptoms sinus symptoms, nasal discharge
Question 13: location/description/duration of cluster headaches
Answer: unilateral (behind one eye) fast onset, severe, sharp 15min-3hrs lacrimation, nasal congestion,
rhinorrhea, eyelid edema
Question 14: aura
Answer: sensory disturbances that occur before pain visual changes, numbness in hand or face,
speech/language difficulty, muscle weakness
Question 15: In what populations are cluster headaches more common?
Answer: men smokers, secondhand smoke
Question 16: treatment of cluster headaches
Answer: NOT OTC triptans (injectable, intranasal), oxygen preventative: verapamil, lithium
Question 17: exclusions for self treatment of headache
Answer: severe head pain change in pattern (first headache, gradual escalation) longer than 10 days
secondary headache (except sinus) migraine symptoms (w/o diagnosis) neurological change stiff neck
(meningitis or stroke) high fever or infection 3rd trimester of pregnancy < 8 yrs old liver disease or >3
drinks/day co-morbid condition (cancer, HIV)
Question 18: treatment of tension headache
Answer: relaxation exercises, physical therapy APAP, ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin preventative:
amitriptyline, nortriptyline, bus-irons, tizanidine
Question 19: treatment of migraines
Answer: avoid triggers (stress, fatigue, irregular sleep, meds, caffeine, alcohol, menses, weather) APAP,
NSAIDs (mild) Rx: triptans, ergot alkaloids, opioids (severe)
Page 2
