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

[Lw2381]

Hi,

I started working p/t at a doctors office to get some experience before I start my LVN program next year. During a surgery last week I past out cold!! So embarassing. I have never fainted in my life.

I want to try to prevent this from happening again. I know if I start feeling hot now that I can leave the room or sit down but would love to know how any of you have built up the stomach for this kind of stuff.

Any info or tips would be great.

P.s Has it happened to you??

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I haven't been checked out for it yet, won't be able to until after finals. I just know that my heart pounded, then felt a big thud, then it raced, THEN i felt funny.

[Rage, RN]

Pathophysiology of syncope is inadaquate perfusion of the brain.......this can be due to shock, hypotension, electrolyte imbalances........any number of things. By eating your maintaining blood flow via gut motility, cold or adaquate tempertures prevent vasoconstriction.......ya da ya da..........if your feeling faint by walking around you increase the vascular perfusion by increased heart rate even if ever so slightly. So bottom line is take all of the previous advice and take a little walk. N/V is whole other problem. I'm a 4th year nursing student but 6 year war veteran so I've seen my share.