Medical English for Nurses: Essential Terms and Phrases
If you work as a nurse or plan to work in an international healthcare environment, knowing medical English is a must. In this article, you’ll find key terms and phrases that will help you in your daily practice.
1. Core Vocabulary
  • Injection – the act of administering medication or fluids using a syringe and needle.
  • Bandage – a strip of material used to cover and protect wounds or injuries.
  • IV (Intravenous) – delivering fluids or medications directly into a vein.
  • Wound – an injury to the skin or underlying tissue.
  • Dressing – a sterile covering placed over a wound to protect it and promote healing.
  • Catheter – a flexible tube inserted into the body to drain fluids, such as urine.
  • Foley catheter – a specific type of urinary catheter inserted into the bladder for continuous drainage.
  • Stitches / Sutures – threads used to close a wound or surgical incision.
  • Drain – a device used to remove pus, blood, or other fluids from a wound or surgical site.
  • Pain scale – a tool used to help patients describe the intensity of their pain, usually from 0 to 10.
  • Blood sample – a small amount of blood taken for testing.
  • Dressing change – the process of removing an old wound dressing and applying a new one.
  • Code blue – a hospital emergency code indicating a patient in cardiac or respiratory arrest.
  • Specimen – a sample (e.g., blood, urine, tissue) collected for medical testing.
  • CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) – a life-saving procedure used when someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped.
  • Rx – an abbreviation for “prescription”; medication prescribed by a doctor.
  • Vital signs – key indicators of health including temperature, pulse, respiration rate, and blood pressure.
  • CBR (Complete Bed Rest) – a medical order meaning the patient should not get out of bed for any reason.
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2. Phrases for Talking to Patients
  • I’m going to take your blood pressure.
  • Do you feel any pain right now?
  • Let me know if you feel dizzy or uncomfortable.
  • I’m going to check your temperature.
  • We need to change your bandage.
  • I will help you get up.
  • Try to drink some water if you can.
  • How would you rate your pain on a scale from 0 to 10?
  • I need to insert a catheter.
  • We are going to clean the wound now.
  • You may feel some pressure, but it shouldn’t hurt.
  • Let me help you turn on your side.
  • We need to monitor your fluid intake and output.

3. Phrases for Talking to Doctors
  • The patient is stable, but febrile.
  • She is complaining of chest pain.
  • The wound is clean, no signs of infection.
  • Vitals are within normal limits.
  • I administered 500 mg of paracetamol at 08:00.
  • The patient reports nausea and dizziness.
  • Urine output is normal.
  • BP is 140/90, HR 88 bpm.
  • There is mild edema in the lower limbs.
  • The catheter is draining clear urine.
  • The patient has developed a stage 2 pressure ulcer.
Medical English for nurses is not just about words — it’s about knowing how to use them at the right moment. The more you practice in real-life situations, the more confident and effective you become.

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