A patient with no relevant medical history feels lightheaded shortly after receiving local anesthesia. What should you do?

Correct answer: B. Place the patient supine with legs elevated and administer oxygen

• A. Incorrect. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator; giving it during a hypotensive episode would worsen cerebral hypoperfusion.
• B. Correct. This is vasodepressor syncope, the most common dental office emergency. Trendelenburg positioning restores cerebral perfusion, and supplemental oxygen supports recovery. Most patients respond within seconds.
• C. Incorrect. EMS activation is reserved for failure to recover, or for signs suggesting a more serious event.
• D. Incorrect. Aspirin is indicated for suspected myocardial infarction — chest pain, not lightheadedness in a healthy patient.