Unstable

Unstable refers to a state of instability or lack of steadiness, which can be applied to various fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine, and psychology. In the medical field, it often refers to a patient's condition that is fluctuating and not well-controlled, potentially leading to rapid changes or deterioration.

Medicine

In medicine, the term "unstable" is often used to describe a patient's condition. This can refer to a variety of situations, such as unstable angina, unstable fracture, or unstable vital signs. These conditions require immediate medical attention as they can rapidly progress and lead to serious complications.

Unstable Angina

Unstable angina is a condition where the blood supply to the heart is suddenly reduced, causing chest pain. It is considered a medical emergency as it can lead to a heart attack.

Unstable Fracture

An unstable fracture refers to a type of bone fracture where the bone pieces move when the body part is moved. This type of fracture often requires surgery to stabilize the bone and prevent further injury.

Unstable Vital Signs

Unstable vital signs refer to fluctuations in a patient's heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate. These can indicate a serious medical condition and require immediate attention.

Physics

In physics, instability can refer to a system that is not in equilibrium. This can lead to sudden changes in the system's state, such as an unstable atomic nucleus decaying into a more stable state.

Chemistry

In chemistry, an unstable compound is one that readily undergoes a chemical reaction or decomposition. This can be due to high energy, such as in the case of unstable isotopes, or due to a reactive functional group, such as in the case of unstable organic compounds.

Psychology

In psychology, instability can refer to emotional or mental instability, such as in borderline personality disorder or bipolar disorder. These conditions are characterized by rapid changes in mood or behavior.

See also

• Stability (disambiguation)
• Stability theory

This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Unstable.