The pressure of the blood in the circulatory system, often measured for diagnosis since it is closely related to the force and rate of the heartbeat and the diameter and elasticity of the arterial walls.
Example: The nurse puts a cuff on the patient to take his blood pressure.
en: Pression artérielle
Breathlessness
Noun
Intense tightening in the chest
Example: The patient tells the nurse that he feels a breathlessness when walking.
en: Essouflement
Clinical clerk
Noun
One who holds a clerkship
Example: After the second year of nursing, it is possible to become a clinical clerk.
en: Externe
Cough
Noun
Expel air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound.
Example: Excessive coughing is a symptom of pneumonia.
en: Toux
Crash cart
Noun
A cart stocked with emergency medical equipment, supplies, and drugs for use by medical personnel especially during efforts to resuscitate a patient experiencing cardiac arrest.
Example: The resuscitation team quickly brings the crash cart during a code blue.
en: Chariot d'urgence
Custody order
Noun
Document issued by the Family Court that sets out the terms and conditions of who has custody of a child.
Example: The psychiatrist requested a custody order for an intoxicated patient.
en: Ordonnance de garde
Cynosis
Noun
A bluish color of the skin and the mucous membranes due to insufficient oxygen in the blood.
Example: The hypothermic patient presents peribucal cyanosis due to cold.
en: Cyanose
Decompensate
Verb
A degradation, often brutal, of an organ or organism that was previously kept in balance
Example: After running out of oxygen, the patient decompensated very quickly.
en: Décompenser
Gastroenterologist
Noun
A medical practitioner qualified to diagnose and treat disorders of the stomach and intestines.
Example: The gastroenterologist does gastroscopy in his patients.
en: Gastroentérologue
Glucose meter
Noun
An instrument for measuring the concentration of glucose in the blood.
Example: The nurse checks the diabetic patient’s blood sugar with a glucose meter.
en: Glucomètre
Gurney
Noun
A wheeled stretcher used for transporting hospital patients.
Example: The unconscious patient is lying on a gurney in the ambulance.
en: Civière
Hemorrhage
Noun
An escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, especially when profuse.
Example: The patient should receive a blood transfusion after a hemorrhage.
en: Hémorragie
Level of consciousness
Noun
A term used to describe a person's awareness and understanding of what is happening in his or her surroundings. ... Decreased consciousness is when a person appears to be awake and aware of surroundings (conscious) but is not responding normally.
Example: The nurse questions the patient to assess her level of consciousness.
en: État de conscience
Medical record
Noun
A chronological written account of a patient's examination and treatment that includes the patient's medical history and complaints, the physician's physical findings, the results of diagnostic tests and procedures, and medications and therapeutic procedures.
Example: The nurse notes her observations in the patient’s medical record.
en: Dossier médical
Needle
Noun
A very fine slender piece of metal with a point at one end and a hole or eye for thread at the other, used in sewing.
Example: The nurse reassures the child who is afraid of needles.
en: Aiguille
Pericarditis
Noun
Inflammation of the pericardium.
Example: Symptoms of pericarditis are similar to that of pleuritis.
en: Péricardite
Recovery
Noun
A return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.
Example: The patient is resting during recovery.
en: Convalescence
Restraint
Noun
A measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control or within limits.
Example: The nurse put the restraints on the violent patient.
en: Contention
Serum lithium levels
Noun
Lithium levels in the blood
Example: A Quoitidian serum lithium levels should be performed when a patient begins lithium treatment.
en: Lithémie
Solute pump
Noun
Instrument used to automatically administer the solute in the patient’s catheter.
Example: When an air bubble passes through the tubing, the solute pump keeps screaming.
en: Pompe à soluté
Stitch
Noun
A loop of thread or yarn resulting from a single pass or movement of the needle in sewing, knitting, or crocheting.
Example: The surgeon closes the wound with stitches.
en: Suture
Urination
Noun
The discharge of urine from the body.
Example: The patient feels pain during urination, because of her urinary infection.
en: Miction
Vital signs
Noun
Clinical measurements, specifically pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure, that indicate the state of a patient's essential body functions.
Example: The nurse takes the patient’s vital signs during the physical examination.
en: Signes vitaux
Walker
Noun
A device for helping to walk, consisting of a harness set into a frame on wheels.
Example: The patient walks with a walker in the shelter.
en: Déambulateur
Wound
Noun
An injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken.
Example: The nurse donned sterile gloves to clean the patient’s wound.