Giant cell arteritis — SCE Rheumatology MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Temporal and axillary artery ultrasound
Temporal and axillary artery ultrasound is the single best answer because new cranial symptoms with jaw claudication and high inflammatory markers in an older adult suggest GCA. The stem is testing investigation selection, not isolated recall, so the relevant clinical pattern and risk context determine the answer. Migraine is less suitable because it fits a different clinical pattern or a different treatment threshold; Sarcoidosis, Aspirin monotherapy and Etanercept do not address the key discriminator in this vignette. Clinical pearl: in SCE-style rheumatology questions, autoantibodies, imaging and synovial fluid findings should be interpreted with the whole phenotype.
Reference: BSR/EULAR vasculitis recommendations; NICE technology appraisals; BNF