Neurology: subarachnoid hemorrhage: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Neurology: subarachnoid hemorrhage

Sample item

A patient develops a sudden maximal-intensity headache within seconds while exercising, followed by vomiting and neck stiffness. What is the most appropriate initial investigation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Urgent noncontrast CT head

Thunderclap headache with meningism raises concern for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Urgent noncontrast CT is the initial investigation, with further testing determined by timing and local protocol if suspicion remains.

Option by option

  • A. Plain skull radiography

    Plain skull radiographs do not evaluate intracranial bleeding.

  • B. Carotid Doppler alone

    Carotid Doppler does not rule out aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

  • C. Urgent noncontrast CT head (correct)

    Correct. Noncontrast CT rapidly detects acute intracranial blood.

  • D. Electroencephalography

    EEG evaluates electrical activity and does not diagnose acute subarachnoid blood.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Urgent noncontrast CT head. Thunderclap headache with meningism raises concern for subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Why is "Plain skull radiography" not the answer?

Plain skull radiographs do not evaluate intracranial bleeding.

Why is "Carotid Doppler alone" not the answer?

Carotid Doppler does not rule out aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Why is "Electroencephalography" not the answer?

EEG evaluates electrical activity and does not diagnose acute subarachnoid blood.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neurology: subarachnoid hemorrhage in General Medicine. Urgent noncontrast CT is the initial investigation, with further testing determined by timing and local protocol if suspicion remains.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neurology: subarachnoid hemorrhage?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.