Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

What symptoms commonly accompany temporal arteritis?

1. Intermittent fever and muscle weakness

2. Visual disturbances and nausea

3. Pain and tenderness over the temporal arteries

4. Headaches and joint swelling

The correct answer is: Pain and tenderness over the temporal arteries

Pain and tenderness over the temporal arteries is the hallmark symptom of temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis. This condition involves inflammation of the large and medium-sized arteries, particularly those that supply blood to the head and eyes. Patients often report localized pain in the temples, which can accompany tenderness upon palpation of the affected areas. This symptom arises from the inflammation related to the disease affecting the temporal artery and its branches. Additionally, the presence of headaches, loss of vision, and systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weight loss can also be associated with temporal arteritis, but the defining characteristics primarily include the pain and tenderness specifically over the involved arteries. Such symptoms indicate the underlying inflammatory process and are critical for diagnosis and management.