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Headache – Cluster (PG)
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Course Curriculum
1. What is the hallmark symptom of cluster headache?
*
Bilateral dull pain
Headache triggered by neck strain
Severe unilateral orbital pain with autonomic symptoms
Visual aura before onset
2. Which of the following autonomic symptoms is commonly associated with cluster headaches?
*
Hearing loss
Pruritus
Lacrimation and nasal congestion
Vomiting
3. When do cluster headaches most commonly occur?
*
Random times of day
After exercise
With food triggers
At night during sleep
4. What is the typical duration of an untreated cluster headache?
*
Few seconds
15 to 180 minutes
Whole day
3 to 5 days
5. How frequent are attacks during a cluster period?
*
Up to 8 times a day
Monthly
Yearly
Randomly once a year
6. What gender is most commonly affected by cluster headache?
*
Male
Female
Equal incidence
No evidence either way
7. Which acute treatment is recommended for cluster headaches?
*
Paracetamol
Codeine
100% oxygen
Amitriptyline
8. What is the recommended prophylactic agent for cluster headache?
*
Sertraline
Verapamil
Co-codamol
Propranolol
9. An alternative for subcutaneous sumatriptan in cluster headache is:
*
Nebulised sumatriptan
Oral sumatriptan
Buccal sumatriptan
Intranasal sumatriptan
10. What behaviour is common during cluster headache attack?
*
Quiet rest
Agitation or restlessness
Sleep
Eating
11. What is the typical cluster period duration?
*
1 day
Several weeks to a few months
12 months continuously
Indefinitely
12. Which substance can trigger a cluster attack during an active period?
*
Dairy
Gluten
Citrus fruits
Alcohol
13. Which eye-related sign is characteristic of cluster headache?
*
Ptosis
Diplopia
Blurred vision
Dry eyes
14. What pattern best describes the episodic nature of cluster headaches?
*
Cyclical attacks with remission periods
Constant headaches
Random unlinked headaches
Seasonal sinus flares
15. Which of these is NOT a recognised autonomic feature of cluster headache?
*
Tearing
Eyelid swelling
Nasal congestion
Fever
16. What role does smoking have in cluster headaches?
*
Protective
No relation
Known trigger only in teens
Higher prevalence among all smokers
17. How quickly should oxygen therapy be started for effectiveness?
*
Any time within the attack
At onset of pain
After 1 hour
Only in hospital
18. What is the mechanism of triptans in cluster headache?
*
Serotonin receptor agonism
Beta blocker
Dopamine antagonism
Cortisol suppression
19. Which investigation is required before high-dose verapamil for prophylaxis?
*
A. None
ECG
CT head
Spirometry
20. What percentage of affected people only ever suffer a single episode throughout their lifetime?
*
5%
25%
45%
60%