Question

A client suffers from migraine headaches. What assessment finding would the nurse expect to find during a migraine attack?

1. Unilateral, pulsating pain quality.
2. Bilateral, pressing/tightening pain quality.
3. Ipsilateral nasal congestion and rhinorrhea.
4. Headache occurs after recovering from a headache treated with narcotics.

Answer 1

During a migraine attack, a nurse would expect to find unilateral, pulsating pain. Migraines are caused by blood vessel swelling and typically include severe pain on one side of the head, nausea, and possibly disturbed vision. They are different from tension or sinus headaches, which have different symptoms and causes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessment Finding During a Migraine Attack

The assessment finding a nurse would typically expect during a migraine attack is unilateral, pulsating pain. Migraines are generally thought to be caused by blood vessel swelling and increased blood flow, leading to the characteristic severe pain. This pain is often accompanied by an upset stomach and disturbed vision. Additionally, migraine headaches are more prevalent in women and can be triggered by a variety of factors such as certain foods, weather changes, or bright lights. During an attack, patients might also experience nausea and seek relief through prescription drugs designed to treat migraines.

It is important to distinguish migraines from other types of headaches such as tension headaches and sinus headaches. Tension headaches usually present as bilaterally pressing/tightening pain, often due to muscle tension, which can be exacerbated by stress, lack of sleep, and other lifestyle factors. On the other hand, sinus headaches, often resulting from infection or allergic reactions, lead to pain in the cheeks and forehead due to inflammation of the sinuses.

It is worth noting that some headaches can also be caused or worsened by medication overuse, such as from narcotics, a condition known as medication-overuse headaches.

Answer 2

During a migraine attack, a nurse would expect to find unilateral, pulsating pain. Migraines are caused by blood vessel swelling and typically include severe pain on one side of the head, nausea, and possibly disturbed vision. They are different from tension or sinus headaches, which have different symptoms and causes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessment Finding During a Migraine Attack

The assessment finding a nurse would typically expect during a migraine attack is unilateral, pulsating pain. Migraines are generally thought to be caused by blood vessel swelling and increased blood flow, leading to the characteristic severe pain. This pain is often accompanied by an upset stomach and disturbed vision. Additionally, migraine headaches are more prevalent in women and can be triggered by a variety of factors such as certain foods, weather changes, or bright lights. During an attack, patients might also experience nausea and seek relief through prescription drugs designed to treat migraines.

It is important to distinguish migraines from other types of headaches such as tension headaches and sinus headaches. Tension headaches usually present as bilaterally pressing/tightening pain, often due to muscle tension, which can be exacerbated by stress, lack of sleep, and other lifestyle factors. On the other hand, sinus headaches, often resulting from infection or allergic reactions, lead to pain in the cheeks and forehead due to inflammation of the sinuses.

It is worth noting that some headaches can also be caused or worsened by medication overuse, such as from narcotics, a condition known as medication-overuse headaches.