AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common cause of syncope?

1. Hypoglycemia

2. Vasovagal response

3. Severe anemia

4. Dehydration

The correct answer is: Vasovagal response

A vasovagal response is a prevalent cause of syncope, often triggered by stress, pain, or prolonged standing. When this response occurs, it leads to a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, reducing blood flow to the brain, which can result in fainting. This reaction can happen quite suddenly and is typically benign. While the other options may also lead to fainting episodes, they are less commonly recognized as primary causes. Hypoglycemia can result in fainting due to insufficient glucose reaching the brain, but it is generally associated with conditions like diabetes. Severe anemia may lead to fatigue and weakness due to low red blood cell counts, but it does not directly cause the reflexive response seen in vasovagal syncope. Dehydration can cause syncope by lowering blood volume and blood pressure, but again, vasovagal responses are more commonly encountered as a direct trigger during specific situations, such as emotional stress or pain, making it a characteristic cause of syncope.