Have you fainted?? If so, how did you prevent doing so again?

mcmike55 · Aug 7, 2005

LW.....Try not to dwell on it too much. I have been working OR for more than 20 years, and believe me, you are not alone!!!!

The two worst ones that I can think of....one fell and needed sutures,,,the other one, bless her heart,,fell hit her head, need a CT scan, and had a minor concussion, with N/V, the whole bit.

Before your next visit to surgery, and I suggest you try again if possible, make sure you are well rested, and above all eat somthing before you go!!

Many, most in fact, that I have seen go down, had nothing to eat that morning....it sounds simple, but seems to be effective.

Most OR nurses that I know, like having students in the room, and have no problem having them leave (and come back) when they don't feel well.

My rule: if you are going to fall, fall AWAY from the sterile field!!! :lol2:

I think you already know one of the early warning signs,,,,feeling hot.

That's your warning,,,,go ahead and leave,,,I suggest our students, get out in the hall, take the mask off, and recover....then come back.

I want students to get the whole tour,,,

good luck Mike

NewEnglandRN, RN · Aug 7, 2005

Yup, had this happen to me and it was incredibly embarassing! :imbar

Eat before you go and do not lock your knees. If you feel faint, leave the room (everyone will understand.) When you are better, make sure at some point you do return to the OR, or you might have massive anxiety returning! I returned about 30 minutes later and was fine (I ate some graham crackers & had Gingerale.)

Everyone was wonderful and even told me about their own personal experiences! Seems fainting in the OR happens often.

Good luck,

suzanne4, RN · Aug 7, 2005

The best words of advice were already stated here. Make sure that you eat before you go in. Definitely do not do it on an empty stomach.

mattsmom81 · Aug 8, 2005

The only time I have fainted is when I was pregnant.(so make saure you check out that possibility...LOL!)

Like others have, I had to be keenly aware of that first hint of hot flush, and lightheaded feeling, and sit down immediately or I'll fall down. I did this twice on the day of state board exams, of all days...LOL!

Amazing I still passed...I was likely nursing a mild concussion as I hit an iron pole on one of those falls...in line at KMart of all places...LOL! Kind passersby put a jacket under my head and knees and sat with me til I woke.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2005

- First make sure that you are not pregnant.

- Second, eat something before your shift. And regularly, during a long shift.

- Third, do not lock your knees when standing for a long time.

- Fourth, take your breaks and stretch some during them.

- Fifth, trying to stay at a comfortable temperature (not too hot, not too cold)

I passed out in clinical - Nursery - I had been on since 0630 (it was 1330) and I had eaten nothing before coming on. The nursery was also very warm and busy. I was helping the MD with some circumcisons ( I had seen a bris before) the baby started to cry and I passed out cold. My blood sugar was 17.

rands03 · Nov 12, 2005

Don't know if this really works, but a nurse I work with says if you smell an alcohol square it will take away nausea & prevent fainting episodes. Good Luck!!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2005

I fainted two and one-half years ago when I was a factory worker on an early morning shift. I had a really sugary doughnut for breakfast, so I think it might have been due to my blood glucose levels crashing after shooting up so high initially. Just prior to the fainting spell I suddenly became hot and profusely sweaty. I have never fainted in the OR, though.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 12, 2005

This has happened to me 6 times.

1st--Had nothing to eat

2nd--Dehydrated

3rd--Circulator insisted that it was too cold to her in the room, even though it was 78 degrees on the thermostat (she said nothing about the pt.'s temp, it was just to cold for her). Two people wound up sweating and dropping out as a result, after repeatedly asking for the thermostat to be adjusted, the reply was a sarcastic hateful "i don't think so, deal with it".

4th--Same scenario, same nurse, only when i dropped out, i went straight to the supervisor's office instead of heading to the sink to wash my face. A memo went out about the recommended temperature range the next day.

5th--Had breakfast, but i was dehydrated again

6th--Felt a little funny, decided to get a physical after this one. That might have been cardiac related.

cindyRN 2006 · Nov 12, 2005

Three Pieces of advice

1. Don't lock your knees

2.Eat, but lightly.

3.Don't tie your mask too tight.

Keep your chin up, It happens.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 12, 2005

Yes, definately don't tie your mask too tight. That was one of the best pieces of advice i got from one of the surgeons.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 12, 2005

6th--Felt a little funny, decided to get a physical after this one. That might have been cardiac related.

This intrigues me somewhat. :)

I was transported to the ER after my one fainting spell over 2 years ago, as that was the protocol of my previous employer. All of my serum blood levels were perfectly within normal limits -- with the exception of the CK-MB (the cardiac enzyme). Though I'm a younger woman, I strongly suspect my last fainting spell just might have been cardiac-related.