Rosh Emergency Medicine Practice Test

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Study for the Rosh Emergency Medicine Test. Prepare with in-depth quizzes and rich multimedia content that includes multiple-choice questions, each with detailed explanations. Gear up and ensure success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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For a patient experiencing severe headaches with pertinent symptoms, what is the most appropriate clinical intervention to abort the headache?

A. Intramuscular ketorolac
B. Intravenous verapamil
C. Oral indomethacin
D. Subcutaneous sumatriptan

The correct answer is: D. Subcutaneous sumatriptan

Subcutaneous sumatriptan is considered the most appropriate clinical intervention to abort a severe headache, particularly in cases of migraines or cluster headaches. Sumatriptan belongs to a class of medications known as triptans, which specifically target serotonin receptors in the brain and are effective in alleviating headache symptoms. When a patient presents with severe headache symptoms, the choice of medication should be aimed at providing rapid relief. Sumatriptan is notably effective for patients suffering from acute migraine attacks and is often preferred due to its quick onset of action when delivered subcutaneously. It triggers vasoconstriction and decreases the release of pro-inflammatory substances, addressing the underlying mechanisms of migraine and cluster headaches directly. The rapid absorption of subcutaneous sumatriptan means that it can provide relief within a short time frame, making it a valuable option in emergency settings where immediate headache resolution is needed. This makes it a go-to choice for abortive therapy in severe headache presentations, which aligns well with clinical guidelines for treating such conditions.