EMQs in Clinical Medicine.pdf - Peshawar Medical College

Falls and loss of consciousness 83
37 Falls and loss of consciousness
A
B
C
D
E
F
micturition syncope
postural hypotension
vasovagal syncope
carotid sinus syncope
Stokes–Adams attack
vertebrobasilar ischaemia
G
H
I
J
K
drop attack
Menière’s disease
anxiety attack
hypoglycaemia
epilepsy
For each clinical scenario below, give the most likely cause for the clinical findings.
Each option may be used only once.
1 A 70-year-old man complains of several blackouts and falls every day. The blackout
lasts for several seconds and is preceded by palpitations.
2 A 65-year-old woman presented with attacks of sudden weakness of the legs
causing her to fall to the ground. There is no loss of consciousness or confusion
afterwards. She has not had any attacks for several months now.
3 A 21-year-old student presents with hyperventilation, tachycardia and lightheadedness
and is brought to A&E after ‘blacking out’.
4 A 34-year-old woman falls to the ground after hearing some bad news.
5 A 60-year-old woman who has recently started antihypertensive medication has
a fall after getting out of bed.
Answers: see page 99.