HOSPITAL VOCABULARY

Inpatient: A patient who stays in the hospital overnight or for an extended period of time.

Sentence: The doctor recommended that the patient be admitted as an inpatient for further observation.

Outpatient: A patient who visits the hospital for treatment but does not stay overnight.

Sentence: She was treated for a minor injury and was allowed to leave as an outpatient after the procedure.

Surgery: A medical procedure involving an incision with instruments, typically performed to treat a disease or condition.

Sentence: After the diagnosis, the doctor scheduled the surgery to remove the tumor.

Anesthesia: A medication used to prevent pain during surgery or other medical procedures.

Sentence: The patient was put under anesthesia before the operation to ensure they felt no pain.

Ward: A large room in a hospital where patients stay, often divided into sections for different types of care.

Sentence: After his surgery, he was moved to the general ward for post-operative care.

Vital Signs: Measurements of the body’s basic functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature.

Sentence: The nurse checked my vital signs every few hours to ensure my recovery was on track.

Pathology: The study of diseases and their effects on the body, often through laboratory tests.

Sentence: The pathology report confirmed the presence of cancerous cells in the biopsy.

Ointment: A smooth, thick substance applied to the skin to treat a wound or condition.

Sentence: The doctor prescribed an ointment to apply to the burn to help it heal faster

Nosocomial: An infection that is acquired in a hospital or healthcare setting.

Sentence: The patient developed a nosocomial infection due to prolonged hospitalization and weakened immunity.

Prognosis: A medical professional’s forecast of the likely course and outcome of a disease or condition.

Sentence: The prognosis for the patient’s recovery is optimistic after the successful treatment of the condition.

Palliative Care: Medical care that focuses on providing relief from the
symptoms and suffering of a serious illness, rather than trying to cure it.

Sentence: The patient was transferred to palliative care to manage his pain and improve his quality of life.

Catheterization: The process of inserting a catheter (a tube) into the body to treat or diagnose a medical condition.

Sentence: The doctor performed a catheterization to examine the patient’s heart and arteries.

Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a small incision is made to allow a camera and instruments to be inserted into the abdomen.

Sentence: Laparoscopy was used to remove the gallbladder with minimal recovery time and fewer complications.

Hemodialysis: A medical treatment used to filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood, typically for patients with kidney failure.

Sentence: The patient underwent hemodialysis three times a week to manage his chronic kidney disease.