American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is a common characteristic of status migrainosus?

1. Presence of aura

2. Severe headache lasting less than 12 hours

3. Prolonged nausea with vomiting

4. Low blood pressure

The correct answer is: Prolonged nausea with vomiting

Status migrainosus is defined as a severe and debilitating migraine attack that lasts for more than 72 hours. A common characteristic of this condition is prolonged nausea with vomiting, which can occur due to the intensity and duration of the migraine itself. The severe headache can lead to autonomic nervous system involvement, causing notable gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The severity and length of the headache often exacerbate these symptoms, making them a prominent feature of status migrainosus. Patients experiencing this condition typically find the associated nausea and vomiting disruptive to their daily lives, further highlighting the impact of the migraine beyond just pain. While the presence of aura is associated with some migraine types, it does not define status migrainosus specifically. A headache lasting less than 12 hours would not meet the criteria for this condition, as it must persist for an extended duration. Low blood pressure is unrelated to the defining features of status migrainosus and does not characterize this type of migraine.