A patient arrives in the emergency department exhibiting symptoms of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Which diagnostic evaluations would the nurse anticipate before treatment is initiated?

Choice B rationale
Patients who experience severe cluster headaches should be instructed to take medications as soon as they sense the onset of symptoms. Cluster headaches are characterized by severe, debilitating pain that reaches peak intensity within a short period of time, often within 15 minutes. Therefore, early intervention is crucial to manage the pain effectively.
Choice A rationale

Waiting twenty to thirty minutes after the onset of symptoms to take medications may not be effective for cluster headaches. The pain of a cluster headache often reaches peak intensity within 15 minutes, so delaying medication could result in unnecessary suffering.
Choice C rationale
Waiting until the patient’s pain becomes unbearable is not recommended for managing cluster headaches. The goal of treatment is to prevent or reduce pain, not to wait until it becomes unbearable.
Choice D rationale
Taking medications when the patient senses their symptoms are peaking is not the most effective strategy for managing cluster headaches. Given the rapid onset and severe pain associated with cluster headaches, medications should be taken as soon as the patient senses the onset of symptoms.

Choice A rationale

Antiviral therapy is typically used to treat viral infections. However, meningitis is most commonly caused by bacteria. Therefore, antiviral therapy would not be the most effective treatment in this case.
Choice B rationale
Antibiotic therapy is the standard treatment for bacterial meningitis. The specific antibiotic or combination of antibiotics used depends on the type of bacteria causing the infection.
Therefore, after reviewing lab results that suggest meningitis, the nurse would anticipate the provider to prescribe antibiotic therapy.
Choice C rationale
Antiemetics are medications that help prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, which can be symptoms of meningitis, but they do not treat the underlying cause of meningitis.
Choice D rationale
Analgesics are used to relieve pain. While they might be used to manage the headache often associated with meningitis, they would not treat the infection itself.