American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

What combination of symptoms would be indicative of Giant Cell Arteritis?

1. Fever + elevated WBC + headache

2. Fever + normal WBC + elevated ESR + headache

3. Dizziness + normal MRI + headache

4. Migraine + elevated platelets + headache

The correct answer is: Fever + normal WBC + elevated ESR + headache

The combination of symptoms that includes fever, normal WBC count, elevated ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and headache is particularly indicative of Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA). GCA is an inflammatory condition that primarily affects the large and medium arteries, most commonly the temporal arteries. One of the hallmark features of this condition is an elevated ESR, which reflects the level of inflammation present in the body. Fever is another common symptom, as patients may experience systemic signs of inflammation. While the white blood cell count may commonly be normal in GCA cases, its normalcy does not rule out significant inflammatory activity, as the disease's effect may not elevate WBC levels as one might see in an infection. Headaches, especially new-onset headaches, are a key symptom of GCA, often presenting as a severe and recurring pain. The other options do not capture the classic presentation of GCA as effectively. For instance, while fever and elevated WBC can suggest an infection, the presence of a normal WBC count in option B is more consistent with GCA. Dizziness, normal MRI findings, and non-specific headaches in the third choice do not provide the inflammatory markers necessary for diagnosing GCA. Lastly, migraines are