General Medicine

20 learning units • 100 chapter sections • 200 explained questions. Assess the patient, choose investigations and build a monitored management plan across adult medical specialties.

Original RAHBAR study material for the Year 4 learning pathway. Clinical cases support supervised undergraduate learning. Treatment choices, doses and procedures must follow current local protocols and the responsible clinical team. References & further reading ↓

MODULE 17 / 20

Seizures, Headache & CNS Infection

Separate common neurological symptoms from emergencies requiring immediate treatment and targeted investigation.

Answer all 10 questions, then submit to see your score and explanations. This is a self-study exercise; results are not saved.

Question 01. An adult has a convulsive seizure lasting six minutes. What is required? A. Waiting until thirty minutes before seeking helpB. Emergency status-epilepticus treatmentC. Routine clinic review onlyD. Oral tablets during ongoing convulsions

Question 02. What is unsafe during a convulsive seizure? A. Putting an object in the mouthB. Protecting from nearby hazardsC. Timing the episodeD. Calling for emergency help

Question 03. Does brief jerking during collapse prove epilepsy? A. Yes, in every caseB. Only if the patient is standingC. No, syncope can include jerkingD. Yes, if witnesses are present

Question 04. Which headache description is a red flag? A. An unchanged mild recurrent pattern with no warning signsB. Sudden maximal-at-onset severe painC. Predictable mild tension after work aloneD. Brief discomfort with a familiar benign trigger alone

Question 05. What is a limitation of a normal interictal EEG? A. It proves no seizure ever occurredB. It does not exclude epilepsyC. It replaces the witness historyD. It guarantees no recurrence

Question 06. What should happen if CNS infection is strongly suspected but tests are delayed? A. Withhold treatment until every result returnsB. Discharge because confirmation is unavailableC. Begin time-critical treatment through the urgent pathwayD. Treat only the headache indefinitely

Question 07. What must precede lumbar puncture in an acutely unwell patient? A. Assuming every headache needs immediate punctureB. Assessment of stability and contraindicationsC. Ignoring focal neurological signsD. Stopping all observations

Question 08. Persistent unconsciousness after convulsions stop may require assessment for what? A. Non-convulsive status and other ongoing causesB. Guaranteed complete recoveryC. Only normal sleep in every caseD. Absence of any neurological problem

Question 09. Which is important after a first suspected seizure? A. Automatic permanent treatment without assessmentB. A specialist plan and practical safety adviceC. Advice to swim aloneD. Ignoring medicine and substance history

Question 10. Frequent use of acute headache medicines can contribute to what? A. Guaranteed prevention of all headacheB. Elimination of every secondary causeC. Proof of meningitisD. Medication-overuse headache

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References & Further Reading

Read the relevant guideline sections alongside these original clinical teaching cases. Local pathways, available services and individual patient factors determine care.

Reference review: 27 September 2026. Consult current local protocols for prescribing, procedures and escalation.