26 Essential Nursing Abbreviations and Terms terms
My glossary helps to understand the terms and abbreviations that the medical staff uses, more particularly the nurses. Every body can hear those. For example, on the TV shows, at hospital on the Internet and in many more area. So, it will help people to have a good base with those terms.
bloating
noun
Bloating is a common, usually temporary condition where the abdomen feels full, tight, or distended, often caused by excess gas or air trapped in the digestive tract.
Example: There was no mucus in the stool, only a small amount (~1 teaspoon) of fresh blood which appeared in the pan and on the paper. No abdominal bloating or distension.
fr: ballonnement
blood pressure
noun
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against artery walls as the heart pumps it through the body.
Example: General Observations Pulse - 65 bpm blood pressure - 110 75 Respiratory Rate - 14 pm Temperature 35.0 C GI: Inspection - The abdomen moved with respiration.
fr: pression artérielle
blood test
noun
A blood test is one of the most common tests healthcare providers use to monitor your overall health or help diagnose medical conditions. You may have a blood test as part of a routine physical examination or because you have certain symptoms.
Example: Odes of postural hypotension and agreed to have a blood test. Her health suddenly deteriorated that medicine.
fr: prise de sang
blood type
noun
Blood type is a classification of blood based on the presence or absence of specific inherited antigens on red blood cells.
fr: groupe sanguin
breathing problems
adjective
An uncomfortable sensation of not being able to get enough air, feeling smothered, or needing to work harder to breathe.
Example: On physical examination, a full respiratory examination will be carried out; assessment of respiratory rate, oxygen saturations, breath sounds (bronchial breathing is often heard in pleural effusions).
fr: difficultés respiratoires
cast
noun
A bandage stiffened with plaster of Paris, molded to the shape of a limb that is broken, and used to support and protect it.
Example: It is important to explain to the patient the reason why the fracture does not require a cast.
fr: plâtre
checkup
A thorough examination, especially a medical or dental one.
Example: He has to do his checkup every year to make sure he stays healthy.
fr: bilan de santé
confinement to bed
noun
fr: alitement
cough
noun
A reflex action that forcefully expels air, mucus, or irritants from the airways to protect the lungs.
Example: Cough was constant throughout the day and couldn't be said to be worse at one time over another.
fr: toux
crutches
noun
A long stick with a crosspiece at the top, used as a support under the armpit by a person with an injury or disability.
Example: Protection may vary from the initial moving of the injured athlete from the location in which further injury may occur, through provision for general support to avoid using the injured part (ex: crutches), to the application of specific means of limiting movement.
fr: béquilles
delivery
noun
The process of giving birth.
Example: This mom had a good delivery. Her baby is in good shape.
fr: accouchement
discharge
noun
The action of discharging someone from a hospital or from a job.
Example: However, she quickly changed her mind about this and was pleased that staff were trying to arrange an intermediate care bed assessment for her initial discharge.
fr: renvoi
disease
noun
An abnormal condition that affects the structure or function of part or all of the body and is usually associated with specific signs and symptoms.
Example: This disease is a tragedy.
fr: maladie
dressing
noun
A piece of material placed on a wound to protect it.
Example: The nurse have to change the dressing of her patient.
fr: pansement
emergency room
adjective
A hospital-based facility operating 24/7 to provide immediate, unscheduled medical treatment for acute, severe, and life-threatening injuries or illnesses.
Example: The emergency room is very busy today.
fr: salle d’urgence
medical history
noun
A comprehensive, systematic collection of a patient’s personal health information, including past illnesses, surgeries, chronic conditions, medications, allergies, and family health history.
Example: The medical history of this person is small. He has always being healthy.
fr: antécédent médical
medication
noun
A substance used for medical treatment, especially a medicine or drug.
Example: Many of these studies have compared a low carbohydrate feed to a high carbohydrate feed, as low carbohydrate feeds have been shown to reduce blood levels of glucose and requirements for insulin or other medication.
fr: médicament
monitor
verb
An instrument or device used for observing, checking, or keeping a continuous record of a process or quantity.
Example: Nurses have to monitor there patients every day.
fr: surveiller, noter et évaluer
outpatient clinic
noun
A medical facility providing diagnosis, treatment, and care without requiring an overnight hospital stay.
Example: This patient has an outpatient clinic because he needs to follow up his case.
fr: consultation externe
probe
noun
A blunt-ended surgical instrument used for exploring a wound or part of the body.
Example: With this in mind I feel we could have altered our questions slightly to PROBE more into whether the interviewee was a critical thinker.
fr: sonde
pulse
noun
A rhythmical throbbing of the arteries as blood is propelled through them, typically as felt in the wrists or neck.
Example: My patient has a low pulse.
fr: fréquence cardiaque
shot
verb
Inject oneself or another person with (a narcotic drug).
Example: The nurse gives a shot of Morphine to her patient.
fr: piqûre, injection
swelling
adjective
An unusual enlargement of a part of the body, typically as a result of an accumulation of fluid.
Example: Continued rheumatology outpatient consultation to investigate and monitor foot swelling.
fr: oedème
twisted
adjective
Forced out of its natural or proper shape; crumpled.
Example: She has the foot twisted because she felt.
fr: tordu, foulé
vital signs
noun
Objective, measurable, and essential clinical, physical, and functional assessments of a living organism, primarily including body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
Example: I'm afraid the x-ray findings have confirmed that you have broken your hip and will be requiring some major surgery to replace the hip joint Prescription medical intervention assess vital signs.
fr: signes vitaux
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: Order to treat the infection and prevent further wound dehisence.
