Final answer:
The cause of a sudden blackout following extreme work-related stress, resulting in a car crash, is most likely syncope. Syncope is a brief loss of consciousness due to a decrease in blood flow to the brain, often triggered by stress, pain, or fatigue.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person experiences a sudden blackout following an extreme stressor at work, the most likely cause is syncope. Syncope, also known as fainting, is a temporary loss of consciousness typically caused by a sudden decrease in blood pressure, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain. It can occur due to various factors, including emotional stress, pain, or fatigue. In the scenario described, the individual's stressful experience could have triggered a vasovagal syncope, which is a common response to prolonged stress or emotional distress. This form of syncope is caused by a drop in blood pressure and heart rate, leading to fainting. While options like psychogenic amnesia, panic attack, and cataplexy could also relate to stress, they do not typically result in a sudden loss of consciousness associated with a blackout, making syncope the most probable cause of the crash.