Question

A patient is frequently seen in the emergency department for severe headaches that typically involve unilateral, pulsating pain accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light. These symptoms begin when the patient has stress persisting for 2-3 days. Which type of headache does the nurse suspect in this patient?

1) Tension headache
2) Cluster headache
3) Migraine headache
4) Sinus headache

Answer 1

The nurse would suspect a migraine headache based on the symptoms of unilateral pulsating pain, nausea, and light sensitivity following stress.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the patient's symptoms of unilateral, pulsating pain, accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light which begin when the patient experiences stress for 2-3 days, the nurse would most likely suspect a migraine headache.

Migraines often involve severe pain on one or both sides of the head and can include an upset stomach and disturbed vision.

These headaches are believed to be related to blood vessel swelling and increased blood flow. In contrast, tension headaches, which involve tightening or tensing of facial and neck muscles, have different characteristics and are typically not unilateral, nor are they commonly associated with nausea or photophobia (sensitivity to light).

Cluster headaches usually involve intense pain around one eye, not necessarily related to stress and have a distinctive pattern of occurring in clusters over a period of time.

Sinus headaches are associated with symptoms such as congestion and are related to inflammation of the sinuses, which is not described in this case.