Which patient is most likely to have organic headaches?

The patient with meningitis is most likely to have organic headaches because organic headaches are typically secondary to underlying medical conditions affecting the neurological system. Meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, often results in significant headache as one of its hallmark symptoms due to increased cranial pressure and irritation of the meninges.

In contrast, the other conditions mentioned are more likely to produce primary headaches. A patient with a cold may experience a headache, but it is often due to congestion or sinus pressure rather than an underlying organic cause. A patient experiencing stress may suffer from tension-type headaches, which are considered primary headaches with no identifiable organic cause. Migraines, while severe and debilitating, are also categorized as primary headaches, as they occur without structural abnormalities or diseases impacting the brain.

Understanding the distinction between primary and secondary headaches helps EMTs identify the potential seriousness of a headache and the need for urgent medical evaluation, particularly in cases involving organic causes like meningitis.