AEMCA Practice Exam

What does orthostatic hypotension syncope involve?

1. Sudden drop in blood pressure while sitting down

2. Drop in blood pressure upon standing up

3. Gradual increase in blood pressure upon standing

4. Stable blood pressure changes while lying down

The correct answer is: Drop in blood pressure upon standing up

Orthostatic hypotension syncope specifically refers to a condition where a person experiences a drop in blood pressure when standing up from a sitting or lying position. This significant change can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, as the body struggles to regulate blood flow and maintain adequate cerebral perfusion upon standing. When an individual stands up, gravity causes blood to pool in the lower extremities, which can temporarily reduce blood volume returning to the heart. If the body does not compensate adequately by constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate, blood pressure will fall. This is why the answer highlighting a drop in blood pressure upon standing up precisely describes the mechanism behind orthostatic hypotension syncope. The other choices do not align with the characteristics of this condition. For instance, a sudden drop in blood pressure while sitting down does not involve the postural change associated with syncope. A gradual increase in blood pressure upon standing contradicts the definition of orthostatic hypotension, as it implies proper physiological response rather than the failure to regulate blood pressure. Lastly, stable blood pressure changes while lying down suggest an absence of the problem entirely since the individual is still and not affected by gravitational changes.