Fainting... so dramatic

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Many of us have probably had patient pass out on us at one time or another. Most of the time, patient is in bed and sits or stands, feels lightheaded, we quickly steady them and get them to the floor, chair or bed before they collapse rather gently.

On TV, it seems like every time someone passes out, it's always a big dramatic production involving the person falling over at an odd angle, and toppling over several expensive and breakable objects in the process.

But, have any of you had an experience (patient, friend, family member) where someone passed out in such dramatic fashion? This is meant to be a light-hearted thread where we can share our "As Seen On TV" stories. :)

Specializes in Dialysis.

In 5th grade, I was the outsider who was always picked last and couldn't even catch a cold! I was playing kickball and I actually made it to 3rd base, which was a first. I had my chance to run to home and somewhere between 3rd and home I passed out. I remember stumbling and then waking up with my face on home plate. I was out long enough for the entire class to surround me! Everyone was worried and I got a free pass home from the school nurse that day.

To this day, I still don't know if I made a point in the kickball game.

Specializes in Peds Medical Floor.

I've almost passed out once. I was in LPN school and went to see the morgue (field trip? lol). My grandfather had just died in another hospital. All I could think about was him being in a morgue. Then the smell got to me. I saw stars, the room started to spin, and my knees went weak. A fellow student nurse who was about a foot taller than me dragged me out of there and sat me down on the floor outside and got me a drink of water. I am so glad she helped me not pass out in the morgue!! Ew!

Of course I don't remember it, but unfortunately my only faint was immortalized on film. I was a senior in high school and on a summer Saturday band members had to stand in uniform for pictures on the football field. After about thirty minutes in the hot sun there I went toppling over backward. I hit the ground so hard you can see my hat fly up off my head about three feet. It is a very funny film to watch, but it was embarrassing at the time.

+ Add a Comment