A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a herniated intervertebral cervical disc. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)

A. A positive Romberg sign (difficulty maintaining balance with eyes closed) can indicate a neurological issue, but it is not directly associated with a migraine.

B. A subnormal temperature (low body temperature) is not typically associated with migraines and may indicate another issue, but it is not as concerning as other findings.

C. An ill college roommate might suggest a viral illness, but it is not a direct concern for the student’s migraine. Migraines are not contagious, and other signs of illness would be more concerning.

D. Positive Brudzinski sign, which involves involuntary flexion of the hips and knees when the neck is flexed, is indicative of meningeal irritation, a sign of meningitis. This is a medical emergency and much more concerning than the symptoms of a migraine. The student should be further assessed for signs of meningitis, which requires urgent treatment.

A. Neck stiffness is a common symptom of a herniated cervical disc due to irritation of the surrounding tissues and nerve roots.

B. Pain in the neck is one of the hallmark symptoms of a cervical disc herniation, as the disc presses on the nerves in the cervical spine.

C. Low back pain is typically associated with lumbar disc herniation, not cervical disc herniation. A herniated cervical disc would more likely cause symptoms in the neck, shoulders, and arms.

D. Shoulder pain is a common symptom of a herniated cervical disc because the nerves that are compressed in the cervical spine also innervate the shoulders.

E. Tingling in the arms is a common symptom of a herniated cervical disc, as the disc can compress the nerves that supply sensation to the arms, leading to numbness and tingling.