Final answer:
In case of fainting, a patient may be prone to orthostatic hypotension during a venipuncture, which involves a significant drop in blood pressure upon changing positions. Symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, and confusion, and treatment often includes elevating the patient's legs and administering intravenous fluids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Watch in case of fainting if a patient is prone to orthostatic hypotension during a venipuncture. Orthostatic hypotension is a condition that arises when blood pressure drops significantly upon standing up from a sitting or lying position, leading to dizziness or fainting. This occurs because the cardiovascular system fails to adequately respond to gravitational changes, which can cause a temporary reduction in cerebral blood flow and oxygenation.
Potential symptoms a patient experiencing orthostatic hypotension may exhibit include a rapid heartbeat, confusion, nausea, pallor of the skin, and in more severe cases, seizures or even metabolic acidosis. In women of childbearing age, symptoms can manifest as breathlessness on exertion and giddiness, with possible edema in the ankles.
During a venipuncture, it's crucial to monitor such patients for signs of imminent fainting to ensure swift intervention. Treatment can involve the patient lying down, elevating their legs to improve blood flow to the brain and, if necessary, providing intravenous fluids to stabilize blood pressure.