ENGLISH FOR NURSES AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

English for Nurses and Medical Professionals
Patients come in all different shapes and sizes. They also speak many different languages. Whether you are working abroad or at home, there will come a time when you will need to rely on English to communicate. These pages can help nurses, doctors, pharmacists, paramedics, receptionists, specialists or even those who volunteer. They will help you learn some basic English expressions and vocabulary related to the medical field. By studying and practising Medical English, you will be able to make your patients feel more comfortable, and have a better understanding of their needs. You will also learn how to talk to their loved ones and communicate with other medical staff who speak English. Do the exercises and take the quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary Quiz
Human Body
Human Body Quiz
Medical Supplies
Medical Specialists
Doctor's Diagnosis
Visiting Hours
Booking Appointments

DIALOGS
A Physical Examination
Doctor: When did you last come in for a physical exam?Patient: I had my last physical two years ago.
Doctor: Have you had any other exams recently? Blood work, an EKG or an ultra-sound?Patient: Well, I had a few X-rays at the dentist's.
Doctor: How have you been feeling in general? Patient: Pretty well. No complaints, really.
Doctor: Could you roll up your left sleeve? I'd like to take your blood pressure.Patient: Certainly.
Doctor: 120 over 80. That's fine. You don't seem to be overweight, that's good. Do you exercise regularly?Patient: No, not really. If I run up a flight of stairs, it takes me a while to get my breath back. I need to get out more.
Doctor: That would be a good idea. How about your diet? Patient: I think I eat a pretty balanced diet. You know, I'll have a hamburger from time to time, but generally I have well-balanced meals.
Doctor: That's good. Now, I'm going to listen to your heart. Patient: Ooh, that's cold!
Doctor: Don't worry it's just my stethoscope. Now, breathe in and hold your breath. Please pull up your shirt, and breathe deeply... Everything sounds good. Let's take a look at your throat. Please open wide and say 'ah'.Patient: 'ah'
Doctor: OK. Everything looks ship shape. I'm going to order some blood work and that's about it. Take this slip to the front desk and they'll arrange an appointment for the tests. Patient: Thank you doctor. Have a nice day.
Key Vocabulary
physical examination (exam)blood workEKGultra-soundx-raysto roll up sleevesoverweight - underweightto exercise regularlybalanced dietwell-balanced mealsstethoscopeto breath in to hold one's breathto pull on one's shirtto breathe deeplyto open wideto look ship shapeslipfront deskto arrange an appointment


Some Troubling Symptoms
Patient: Good afternoon.
Doctor: Good afternoon. Have a seat. So, what have you come in for today?Patient: Thank you. I'm feeling ill, I've got quite a bad cough, but I don't seem to have a fever.
Doctor: I see. How long have you had these symptoms?Patient: Oh, I've had the cough for two weeks, but feeling ill just these past few days.
Doctor: Are you having any other problems?Patient: Well, I've got a headache. I've also had a little bit of diarrhea.
Doctor: Do you produce any phlegm when coughing?Patient: Sometimes, but it's usually pretty dry.
Doctor: Do you smoke?Patient: Yes, a few cigarettes a day. Certainly no more than a half a pack a day.
Doctor: How about allergies? Do you have any allergies?Patient: Not that I'm aware of.
Doctor: Does your head feel stuffy?Patient: Yes, for the past few days.
Doctor: OK. Now let's have a look. Could you please open your mouth and say 'ah'?
Key Vocabulary
symptomsto feel illcoughfeverto have a coughheadachediarrheaphlegmto coughallergystuffyto feel stuffy


Joint Pain
Patient: Good morning. Doctor Smith?Doctor: Yes, please come in.
Patient: Thank you. My name is Doug Smith.Doctor: What have you come in for today Ms Anders?
Patient: I've been having some pain in my joints, especially the knees.Doctor: How long have you been having the pain?
Patient: I'd say it started three or four months ago. It's been getting worse recently.Doctor: Are you having any other problems like weakness, fatigue or headaches?
Patient: Well I've certainly felt under the weather.Doctor: Right. How much physical activity do you get? Do you play any sports?
Patient: Some. I like to play tennis about once a week. I take my dog on a walk every morning.Doctor: OK. Let's have a look. Can you point to the area where you are having pain?
Key Vocabulary
joint painkneesweaknessfatigueheadacheto feel under the weatherphysical activityto play sportsto have pain
Pain that Comes and Goes
Doctor: How long have you been having this pain?Patient: It started in June. So for more than five months now. My stomach hurts after some meals, but not always.
Doctor: You should have come in earlier. Let's get to the bottom of this. Have you changed your eating habits during this period?Patient: No, not really. Well, that's not true. I'm eating the same foods, but less. You know, the pain seems to come and go.
Doctor: How strong is the pain exactly? On a scale of one to ten, how would you describe the intensity of the pain? Patient: Well, I'd say the pain is about a two on a scale of one to ten. Like I say, it's not really bad. It just keeps coming back...
Doctor: How long does the pain last when you get it?Patient: It comes and goes. Sometimes, I hardly feel anything. Other times, it can last up to half an hour or more.
Doctor: Is there a type of food that seems to cause stronger pain than other types?Patient: Hmmm ... heavy foods like steak or lasagna usually brings it on. I've been trying to avoid those.
Doctor: Does the pain travel to any other parts of your body - chest, shoulder or back? Or does it remain around the stomach area.Patient: No, it just hurts here.
Key Vocabulary
painstomachto hurtto get to the bottom of somethingeating habitsto come and goon a scale of one to tento keep coming backto last (an amount of time)heavy foodsto avoidchestshoulderback

A Prescription
Patient: … what about the problems I've been having sleeping?Doctor: I'm going to give you a prescription for some medicine to help you get a better night's sleep.
Patient: Thank you doctor.Doctor: Here, you can get this prescription at any pharmacy.
Patient: How often should I take the medicine?Doctor: Just take one pill about 30 minutes before you go to bed.
Patient: How long should I take them?Doctor: The prescription is for thirty days. If you're not sleeping well after thirty days, I'd like you to come back in.
Patient: Is there anything else I can do to help me sleep at night?Doctor: Don't worry so much about things at work. I know, I know... easier said than done.
Patient: Should I stay home from work?Doctor: No, I don't think that's necessary. Just remember to stay calm.
Key Vocabulary
prescriptionto get a good night's sleeppharmacyto take medicineto take a pilleasier said than doneto stay calm
Feeling Queasy
Nurse: Good morning, Mr Adams. How are you doing today?Patient: Horrible! I can't eat anything! I just feel sick to my stomach. Take the tray away.
Nurse: That's too bad. I'll just put this over here for now. Have you felt queasy for very long? Patient: I woke up during the middle of the night. I couldn't get back to sleep, and now I feel terrible.
Nurse: Have you been to the toilet? Any diarrhea or vomiting? Patient: I've been to the toilet twice, but no diarrhea or vomiting. Perhaps, I should drink something. Can I have a cup of tea?
Nurse: Certainly, I'll get you a cup immediately. Would you like black tea or peppermint tea?Patient: Peppermint, please. Do you think I could have another blanket? I'm so cold. I think I'm getting the chills.
Nurse: Here's an extra blanket. Let me tuck you in.Patient: You're so sweet. What is your name?
Nurse: My name is Alice. I'll be on shift during the day for the next few days.Patient: Hello Alice. My name is Jack. Nice to meet you.
Nurse: Let's get you feeling better Jack! Is there anything else I can get for you?Patient: That's alright. I think a cup of tea and a warm blanket should help.
Nurse: OK. I'll be back as soon as the tea is ready. Patient: Thank you.
Key Vocabulary
to feel queasyto feel sick to one's stomachtrayto wake upto feel terrible, awful, horribleto get (go) back to sleepto be to the toiletdiarrheavomitblack tea, peppermint teablanketto get the chillsto tuck someone in
Helping a Patient
Patient: Nurse, I think I might have a fever. It's so cold in here!Nurse: Here, let me check your forehead.
Patient: What do you think?Nurse: Your temperature seems raised. Let me get a thermometer to check.
Patient: How do I raise my bed? I can't find the controls.Nurse: Here you are. Is that better?
Patient: Could I have another pillow?Nurse: Certainly, Here you are. Is there anything else I can do for you?
Patient: No, thank you.Nurse: OK, I'll be right back with the thermometer.
Patient: Oh, just a moment. Can you bring me another bottle of water, too?Nurse: Certainly, I'll be back in a moment.
Key Vocabulary
feverto check someone's foreheadraised temperaturethermometerto raise / lower the bedcontrolspillow







Getting Patient Details
Administrative Staff: Hello, how can I help you?Patient: I've got an appointment with Dr. Adams.
Administrative Staff: Are you Ms Moyers? Patient: Yes, I am. I have an appointment at ten.
Administrative Staff: We just need to fill in some information for our files. Could you fill out these forms? Patient: Certainly ... (comes back after filling out the forms) what’s this form for?
Administrative Staff: It's just a privacy form informing you of our policies.Patient: Is that really necessary?
Administrative Staff: I'm afraid it is. Could you also sign that form? Patient: OK, there you go. Here's my insurance provider's card.
Administrative Staff: Thank you. OK, that'll be $20.Patient: Why do I have to pay $20?
Administrative Staff: It's the deductible for office visits required by your health care provider.Patient: ... but I'm insured aren't I?
Administrative Staff: Yes, of course. Your health care provider asks for deductibles on office visits.Patient: Every time I turn around I've got some additional fee to pay. I don't know why I pay for insurance!
Administrative Staff: I know it's frustrating. We also have a lot of paperwork. Every provider has different forms and requirements!Patient: This can't continue on like this!
Administrative Staff: I agree with that!
Key Vocabulary
appointment to fill in forms files form privacy policies to sign a form insurance provider insurance provider's card deductible office visit health care provider to be insured additional fee frustrating paperwork
Common Diseases:
· AIDS = squired immune deficiency syndrome
· allergies
· Alzheimer's disease
· anemia
· anxiety disorders
· arthritis
· asthma
· blood pressure
· brain cancer
· breast cancer
· bronchitis
· cancer
· cervical cancer
· chicken pox
· chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
· chronic illness
· cold sores
· colon cancer
· constipation
· common cold
· cough
· diabetes
· diarrhea
· dyspepsia
· eczema
· epilepsy
· eye disorders
· flu (influenza)
· food poisoning
· gastritis
· genital herpes
· gonorrhea
· gout
· headache
· heart attack
· heartburn
· hemorrhoids
· hepatitis
· herpes
· high cholesterol
· HIV
· hypertension
· impotence
· insomnia
· jaundice
· kidney cancer
· kidney stones
· liver cancer
· liver disease
· lung cancer
· Malaria
· meningitis
· menopause
· mental illness
· myopia (short-sightedness)
· migraine
· muscular dystrophy
· nervousness
· obesity
· ovarian cancer
· overweight
· pain
· prostate cancer
· prostate disorders
· pneumonia
· sexually transmitted diseases
· Sexual impotence
· sleep disorders
· sores
· stomachache
· stress
· stroke
· thrush
· Typhoid
· thyroid disorders
· tuberculosis
· whooping cough