PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is a typical presentation for a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage?

1. Severe vomiting

2. Worst headache of my life

3. Fainting spells

4. Blurred vision

The correct answer is: Worst headache of my life

A typical presentation for a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage often includes describing the headache as "the worst headache of my life." This characterization is significant because it helps clinicians recognize the acute and intense nature of the pain that patients experience, which is often sudden onset and differs markedly from other types of headaches. This description can be crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention since subarachnoid hemorrhage typically arises from the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm or other vascular malformations, leading to bleeding in the space surrounding the brain. Other symptoms, like severe vomiting, fainting spells, or blurred vision, may occur but are not as iconic and characteristic as the intense headache. These additional symptoms can be more variable and are not the defining feature that helps with the immediate clinical assessment of a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Thus, the hallmark headache is a critical clue for healthcare providers in identifying patients who may need urgent imaging and management.