Examples of .....

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Does anyone know any examples of misinterpretations of medical terms?

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

Saline saline over the seven Cs. Actually, you know what sailing with one catamaran booie in the water is?? Half normal saline!

I once thought Rhinoplasty only occurred in Africa!

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SOB, tachy, and COW (not exactly medical term but still) are commonly misunderstood by the lay public

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

COW as in someone is hyperlipidemic...??? Please explain...

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Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.
COW as in someone is hyperlipidemic...??? Please explain...

"computer on wheels" refers to the portable workstations in some hospitals

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"computer on wheels" refers to the portable workstations in some hospitals

I hadn't heard of "COW" until I read it on this forum...quite a few people talked about patients misunderstanding and thinking staff were referring to them..... :chuckle

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

we call them WOWs for workstation on wheels so the pts and family did not think we were calling them cows

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I had a person think I was calling a pt a son of a b**** , when I used the abbreviation SOB.

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BRAT on peds . . . the diet, not the child.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Diabetes, especially the difference between Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that typically emerges in childhood, requires insulin, and can't be "cured" by diet or exercise. Type 2 is a metabolic problem, usually strikes in adulthood (though that is changing), and may require insulin, but can usually be managed with diet, exercise, and medication. Neither is caused by "eating too much sugar."

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