A second-year medical student, seen in the student health clinic, is disoriented and has fever, headache, and a stiff neck. The physician should suspect
A) meningioma
B) occult spina bifida
C) meningitis
D) an autoimmune disease
E) migraine

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms of fever, headache, and stiff neck together are classic signs of meningitis, an inflammation of the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Meningioma is a type of brain tumor that can cause symptoms similar to meningitis, but it is less common in a second-year medical student. Occult spina bifida is a congenital abnormality of the spine that is typically diagnosed in infancy or childhood. An autoimmune disease may cause various symptoms but is not typically associated specifically with fever, headache, and stiff neck. Migraines can cause headache and other symptoms but do not typically cause fever or stiff neck.

A Second-Year Medical Student, Seen in the Student Health Clinic