What is the term for a sudden drop in blood pressure when a patient stands from a lying or sitting position?

The term for a sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when a patient stands up from a lying or sitting position is orthostatic hypotension, often simply referred to as orthostatic. This condition can lead to symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness due to the rapid change in position, which causes the blood pool to momentarily shift and decreases blood flow to the brain.

Orthostatic hypotension is particularly important for personal care assistants to recognize, as it can affect a patient's ability to maintain balance and safely ambulate. Understanding this condition helps PCAs provide proper assistance and implement preventive measures, such as allowing patients to stand up slowly to avoid discomfort or injury.

Other options, such as dizziness, fainting, and stroke, are symptoms or medical conditions that may occur as a result of orthostatic hypotension but do not specifically define the physiological mechanism behind the sudden drop in blood pressure during position changes.