Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which of the following therapies would be considered ineffective for migraine headaches?

1. Propranolol (Inderal)

2. Cold packs to the forehead

3. Trimethobenzamide (Tigan)

4. Moderate sodium restriction

The correct answer is: Moderate sodium restriction

Moderate sodium restriction is considered ineffective for the management of migraine headaches because there is insufficient evidence to suggest that limiting sodium intake has a direct impact on the frequency or severity of migraine attacks. Most therapeutic approaches for migraines focus on managing acute symptoms and preventing future episodes through pharmacological and non-pharmacological means that have demonstrated clinical efficacy. In contrast, medications like propranolol are widely recognized as effective prophylactic treatments for migraines. Cold packs applied to the forehead can provide symptomatic relief during a migraine attack, and trimethobenzamide is sometimes used for nausea associated with migraines, further supporting the idea that the other options involve more established migraine management strategies. Thus, while dietary modifications can positively affect health in general, moderate sodium restriction does not play a significant role in migraine treatment specifically.