A patient complains of blurred vision, dizziness, and weakness after moving from lying down to standing. What condition should the therapist monitor for?

The symptoms described – blurred vision, dizziness, and weakness upon standing – are indicative of orthostatic hypotension, which occurs when there is a significant drop in blood pressure upon changing position, particularly from lying down to standing. This drop can lead to inadequate blood flow to the brain, resulting in the symptoms experienced by the patient.

Orthostatic hypotension is commonly associated with factors such as dehydration, prolonged bed rest, certain medications, or underlying medical conditions. Monitoring for this condition involves observing the patient's vital signs, particularly blood pressure changes during position changes, and assessing for the presence of other symptoms that could indicate inadequate cerebral perfusion.

In contrast, while hypertension relates to high blood pressure, it typically does not manifest with the symptoms noted in this scenario. Preeclampsia, a condition that can occur during pregnancy, is characterized by high blood pressure and additional symptoms such as protein in the urine and swelling, which do not align with the symptoms presented. Diabetes mellitus may cause various symptoms, including blurred vision, but does not specifically relate to the positional symptoms indicated here. Therefore, the focus on orthostatic hypotension is appropriate for monitoring in this case.