What it means
A general word clients use for several feelings: lightheadedness (feeling faint), unsteadiness, or vertigo (a spinning feeling). It can come from low blood pressure, standing up too fast, dehydration, low blood sugar, inner-ear problems, heart rhythm changes and many drugs.
For the nurse
Ask the client to describe exactly what they feel and when it happens. Check blood pressure lying, sitting and standing if it comes on when they stand. Help them sit or lie down, and keep them from falling: teach to rise slowly and call for help to get up.
In a chart
"Client reports dizziness on standing; BP 132/78 lying, 104/66 standing."
At a glance
| Spanish | mareo |
|---|---|
| Also written | dizzy |
Related terms
hypoglycemia
A blood glucose level below normal, under 70 mg/dL.
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
hypotension
Blood pressure lower than normal, generally below 90/60 mm Hg in an adult.