Your patient is a 52-year-old female who is alert but slightly confused after a syncopal episode lasting about 1 minute. She has no complaints, and your physical exam reveals no abnormalities aside from slight confusion. She has had a stroke and has a history of type II diabetes and hypertension. HR = 100, BP = 132/84, RR = 12, SaO₂ = 99%. Which of the following is the least likely cause of the patient's episode?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Orthostatic hypotension is less likely because the patient's blood pressure is stable (132/84) and there's no mention of a change in position that could have triggered the episode. The other options (hypoglycemia, transient ischemic attack, and transient cardiac arrhythmia) are more plausible given the patient's medical history and the symptoms described.

Your Patient Is a 52-Year-Old Female Who Is Alert but Slightly