Summary of Medical English for Nurses
Medical English for Nurses: Your Essential Study Guide
Introduction
This material covers key English terminology used in healthcare (vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical structures), aimed at university students. The goal is to simplify terms, show examples of usage in a clinical context, and provide comparisons of similar expressions.
Material Structure
- Vocabulary and Definitions (English term + pronunciation + English definition)
- Consonant Pronunciation (Overview and Examples)
- Advanced Vocabulary (Clinical Terms and Phrases)
- Grammar: have to vs need to, need + -ing, Present Perfect vs Past Simple, using ever/never, for/since/yet
- Practical Examples and Real-life Scenarios
Vocabulary and Definitions
gait /ɡeɪt/ n manner of walking; "way of walking with short steps, with the feet not leaving the floor" – used, for example, when describing neurological or orthopedic conditions.
siblings /ˈsɪblɪŋz/ n brothers and sisters
side effects /ˈsaɪd ɪˌfektɪs/ n unintended effects of a medication
skip /skɪp/ v to miss (e.g., a meal, a dose of medication)
slide /slaɪd/ n microscope slide
slight /slaɪt/ adj small, minor, not significant
snack /snæk/ n light refreshment
sore /sɔː(r)/ adj painful; n a wound or painful spot
source /sɔːs/ n origin, supply
specialize /ˈspeʃəlaɪz/ v to focus on a particular area
specimen /ˈspesɪmən/ n a sample (of blood, urine, tissue)
spillage /ˈspɪhɪdʒ/ n an accidental overflow or shedding
spot /spɒt/ n a pimple or mark on the skin
spotless /ˈspɒtɪls/ adj perfectly clean, without a blemish
spread /spɪrd/ v to disseminate (e.g., an infection)
sterile /ˈsterɪl/ adj sterilized, free from microorganisms
sterilize /ˈsterɪlaɪz/ v to make free from bacteria or other living microorganisms
stimulant /ˈstɪmjələnt/ n a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body
stimulation /ˌstɪmjəˈleɪʃn/ n the action of arousing interest, enthusiasm, or activity
stitches /ˈstɪtʃɪz/ n surgical sutures
stomach ulcer /ˈstʌmək ˌʌlsə(r)/ n a sore that develops on the lining of the stomach
stretcher /ˈstretʃə(r)/ n a portable bed for carrying sick or injured people
stroke /strəʊk/ n a sudden disabling attack or loss of consciousness caused by an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain
suicide /ˈsuːnəɪrd/ n the act of intentionally causing one's own death
superstition /ˌsuːpəˈstɪʃn/ n a widely held but irrational belief in supernatural influences
supplement /ˈsʌplɪmənt/ n a dietary supplement
suppository /səˈpɒzɪtri/ n a solid medical preparation designed to be inserted into the rectum or vagina to dissolve
susceptible /səˈseptɪbl/ adj likely to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing
swab /swɒb/ v to clean a wound or body part with a swab
swear /sweə(r)/ v to use offensive language
swelling /ˈsweɪln/ n an abnormal enlargement of a part of the body
swollen /ˈswaʊlən/ adj enlarged by swelling
sympathy /ˈsɪmpəθi/ n feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune
syringe /sɪˈrɪndʒ/ n a medical instrument used for injecting or withdrawing fluids
test tube /ˈtest tjuːb/ n a thin glass tube closed at one end, used in scientific experiments
therapy /ˈθɛrəpi/ n treatment intended to heal or relieve a disorder
threat /θɛt/ n a statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not done
tic /tɪk/ n a habitual spasmodic contraction of the muscles, most often in the face
transducer /trænzˈdjuːsə(r)/ n an ultrasound probe
trauma /ˈtrɔːmə/ n a deeply distressing or disturbing experience
traumatic /trɔːˈmætɪk/ adj emotionally disturbing or distressing
treatment /ˈtrɪtɪmənt/ n medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury
triage nurse /ˌtriːnɜːŋnɜːs/ n a nurse who assesses patients to determine the urgency of their need for treatment
tumour /ˈtjuːmə(r)/ n a mass of tissue formed by an abnormal growth of
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English for Healthcare — Terminology
Klíčové pojmy: Memorize key terms, their pronunciation, and how they're used in context., "Gait" describes a person's manner of walking, a term useful in neurological examinations., Differentiate between "have to" (obligation) and "need to" (necessity) in clinical communication., Use "need + -ing" to describe tasks: The floor needs cleaning., The Present Perfect tense (have/has + past participle) describes events that have an impact on the present., Use "ever" in questions and "never" in negative statements; "for" indicates a period, while "since" indicates a point in time., "Sterilize/sterile," "specimen," "swab," and "syringe" are fundamental laboratory terms., Vital signs include pulse, temperature, respiration, and blood pressure., Correct pronunciation of medical and technical terms reduces the risk of misunderstanding., A triage nurse determines the priority of patient treatment., Use simple clinical phrases for clear and safe communication., Practice terminology using real-life scenarios and examples.