skip to main content

Giant cell arteritis — SCE Acute Medicine MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardAcute Rheumatological and Dermatological EmergenciesGiant cell arteritisSCE Acute Medicine

A patient aged 74 has new headache, scalp tenderness, jaw claudication and transient monocular visual loss. CRP is 96 mg/L. What is the immediate step?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Start high-dose glucocorticoid immediately for visual symptoms

The best answer is “Start high-dose glucocorticoid immediately for visual symptoms”. This is correct because threatened ocular ischaemia can become permanent and treatment must not await biopsy or ultrasound. Intravenous or high-dose oral regimens are selected urgently with ophthalmology and rheumatology input. Aspirin alone and polymyalgia doses do not adequately suppress cranial vasculitis.

Reference: British Society for Rheumatology giant-cell-arteritis guideline: https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/59/3/e1/5714025