Syncope Quiz Answers

1.Syncope is defined as:
a. abrupt loss of consciousness with a delayed recovery time and maintenance of postural tone
b. abrupt loss of consciousness with a rapid recovery time with loss of postural tone
c. abrupt loss of consciousness with a delayed recovery time and loss of postural tone
d. abrupt loss of consciousness with a rapid recovery time and maintenance of postural tone

2.Which causes of syncope have increased rates of mortality?
a. Neural
b. Cardiac
c. Orthostatic Hypotension
d. Metabolic

3.Which of the following is NOT a good indicator of a cardiac cause of syncope:
a. Exertional component
b. Syncope while supine
c. Prodrome of nausea, vomiting
d. Preceding palpitations

4.Which of the following is NOT recommended as part of the initial evaluation for syncope:
a. Telemetry monitoring
b. Chest Xray
c. EKG
d. Carotid dopplers
e. Echocardiogram
f. Orthostatic vitals

5.What percentage of admissions for syncope are nondiagnostic (unknown cause):
a. <10%
b. 15-50%
c. >75%

6. Accurate statements about the prognosis of patients with syncope includes all except:
a. prognosis is directly related to cause
b. neurocardiogenic causes of recurrent syncope have no increased mortality at 5 years
c. patients with cardiac causes for syncope have increased 1 year mortality rates compared to those with unknown causes
d. in cardiac patients (CHF, cardiomyopathy, AS), mortality is the same for those who have multiple syncopal episodes vs those who have one/no episodes