What it means
The medical word is syncopeSING-kuh-peeFainting: a short loss of consciousness from a drop in blood flow to the brain.Full entry . A person may feel lightheaded, warm, sweaty or sick, or see things go gray, then fall and wake within a minute or so. It can happen with standing up quickly, dehydration, pain, fear, the sight of blood, or a long time standing still, and sometimes with heart rhythm problems, which can be serious.
For the nurse
If a client feels faint, help them sit or lie down at once to prevent a fall. After a faint, check breathing, pulse, blood pressure and blood glucose, and report it.
At a glance
| Everyday words | passing out, blacking out |
|---|---|
| Spanish | desmayo |
Related terms
hypotension
Blood pressure lower than normal, generally below 90/60 mm Hg in an adult.
dizziness
A feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady or off balance, or that the room is spinning.
unconsciousness
A state in which a person is not awake or aware and cannot respond normally to voice, touch or what is around them.