Do you feel dizzy, or lightheaded whenever you get up from lying for a long or for a few minutes? Then you may want to assess for postural hypotension, which has predisposed a lot of people to falls:
– Take blood pressure while the patient is lying, and make sure the patient has lied down for more than 5 minutes.
– Help/ask the patient to stand up, and measure BP in the first minute of standing.
– 3 minutes after standing, measure BP again.
Any drop in the systolic blood pressure of 20 mmHg or more is ++ for postural hypotension. Assess for lightheadedness, dizziness, vagueness, palpitations, and weakness.
– Document your findings
– Report to the medical team ASAP. Help the patient to a comfortable position.