Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) PN-RN Practice Test

If a patient suddenly loses consciousness after standing up from a prolonged sitting position, what condition does the nurse suspect?

1. Postural hypotension

2. Vasovagal reaction

3. Slight stroke

4. Cardiac abnormality

The correct answer is: Postural hypotension

When a patient suddenly loses consciousness after standing up from a prolonged sitting position, the nurse would suspect postural hypotension, also known as orthostatic hypotension. This condition occurs when there is a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing, which can lead to insufficient blood flow to the brain and result in fainting or dizziness. During prolonged sitting, blood can pool in the lower extremities. Upon standing, the body typically compensates by increasing heart rate and constricting blood vessels to maintain blood pressure. However, if this compensatory mechanism fails or is insufficient, blood pressure drops, leading to symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, and loss of consciousness, especially in older adults or those on certain medications. The other conditions may share some symptoms, but they do not specifically correlate with the scenario described as neatly as postural hypotension does. A vasovagal reaction is often triggered by stress or pain, and while it can lead to fainting, it doesn't exclusively relate to the act of standing after sitting. A stroke typically involves more pronounced neurological deficits and does not usually present with sudden loss of consciousness upon standing. Similarly, a cardiac abnormality could lead to syncope, but the specific context of sudden positional change points more clearly to