66. A 55-year-old patient speaks with an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) about newly emergent problems with headaches, nausea, vomiting, and photophobia, The APRN examines the patient and rules out any triggering diseases. A diagnosis of migraine without aura is suspected. Which characteristics support this diagnosis?
Answer: B
Unilateral, pulsating, moderate-to-severe pain during activity, lasting 4-72 hours
This option accurately describes the characteristics of migraine without aura. Migraines typically manifest as unilateral, pulsating pain that worsens with physical activity and lasts between 4 to 72 hours.
A) Bilateral, pulsating, moderate-to-severe pain while standing, lasting 3-6 hours
This option is incorrect because migraines are usually unilateral rather than bilateral. Additionally, the duration mentioned (3-6 hours) is shorter than the typical migraine duration of 4-72 hours.
B) Unilateral, pulsating, moderate-to-severe pain during activity, lasting 4-72 hours
This option correctly identifies the key characteristics of migraine without aura. It highlights unilateral location, pulsating quality, moderate-to-severe intensity, and the fact that symptoms worsen with activity, fitting the diagnostic criteria for migraines.
C) Unilateral, pulsating, moderate-to-severe pain with vertigo, lasting 6-12 hours
While this option notes unilateral and pulsating pain, the inclusion of vertigo is not a standard characteristic of migraine without aura. Additionally, the duration of 6-12 hours is shorter than the typical migraine duration.
D) Bilateral, pulsating, moderate-to-severe pain upon wakening, lasting 3-24 hours
This option is also incorrect as it describes bilateral pain, which is atypical for migraines. Moreover, the pain duration and the specific trigger of waking do not align with the recognized features of migraine without aura.
Conclusion
Option B is the only choice that accurately reflects the characteristics of a migraine without aura, including its unilateral nature, pulsating quality, and typical duration. All other options either misidentify the pain location, duration, or include symptoms that do not align with the migraine diagnosis, making them incorrect.