Near fainting episodes

[MaroonTX]

Has anyone ever had trouble with near fainting while working?? I remember this happening to me a couple of times in the past, but today it happened again and it really freaked me out!! It seems to happen in the early morning during day shifts (I've been on nights for so long since the first couple of occurrences that I had totally forgot about it happening to me in the past), but before it happens I'll just be going about my business and I suddenly feel overwhelmingly hot, then sweaty, light headed, then my vision and hearing becomes distorted and at this point I usually have to leave the room and sit down or run cold water over my face. I know it has nothing to do with bad smells or any of the "grosser" aspects of patient care, so I can't really seem to figure out what is causing it. Any help would be appreciated because it's pretty embarrassing when I have to suddenly leave a patients room (especially right now since I am in orientation at a new job, working with another nurse). Not to mention I won't feel quite right for a long time after. THANKS!

[Mossback]

I'll just be going about my business and I suddenly feel overwhelmingly hot, then sweaty, light headed, then my vision and hearing becomes distorted and at this point I usually have to leave the room and sit down or run cold water over my face.

I'm not a doc, but from your symptoms it sounds like you're describing a vasovagal episode. I've experienced similar episodes several times in my life, most memorably while aboard an airliner (I managed to faint in the aisle, which caused a huge amount of commotion). It's my understanding that vasovagal episodes often have a specific trigger, although mine never have.

Of course, as a responsible "almost" nurse (I'm taking the NCLEX next week), I have to advise you to get worked up by your physician to rule out afib, hypotension, seizure activity, and other potential nasties.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

This is not something we can address. Please see your doctor.