What it means
Describes something that does not stay steady: fluctuating blood glucose, blood pressure or weight; a level of alertness that comes and goes, as in deliriumdih-LEER-ee-umA sudden state of confusion and poor attention that comes and goes over hours or days.Full entry . In examining a lump, fluctuance is a soft, wave-like feel under the fingers when it is pressed, showing it holds fluid, as in an abscess.
In a chart
"Level of consciousness fluctuating through the shift; alert at 0800, drowsy and confused at 1400."
At a glance
| Spanish | fluctuación |
|---|---|
| Also written | fluctuations, fluctuate, fluctuates, fluctuating |
Related terms
delirium
A sudden state of confusion and poor attention that comes and goes over hours or days.
intermittent
Starting and stopping; happening at intervals rather than all the time.
baseline
A starting measurement or the client's usual state, used to compare later findings against.