Medical terminology according to patients

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Specializes in Ambulatory Surgery, Ophthalmology, Tele.

I was thinking about times when patients use medical terminology that is a little different than what we would expect. Here are a few examples:

A patient had his "goldbladder" removed.

A patient with CAD s/p heart stent had "heart springs".

I had a patient who had a "cadillac" (cataract) removed from their eye.

One of my favorites: when a patient has "the gout".

Or there are the ever popular names for certain body parts, such as the lady who wanted to make sure her gown was tied so her "goody bits" wouldn't show. I know there are more I have heard but can't think of them know.

Anyone want to share?

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Off the top of my head, nursefrances:

"Hispaniola Disease" for Histoplasmosis.

"Congenital" Heart Failure for Congestive Heart Failure.

A lot of Patients who merely have had CABG's say that they've had "Open Heart Surgery".

"Mr. Whipple's Procedure" for a Whipple Procedure.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Sugar diabetes is my favorite

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"The fits' for seizures

"Done fell out" for fainting

Pronounced Die ah rear (for diarrhea)

a styme for STEMI

Pronounced: Tide n all (for tylenol)

Mind Grained for Migraine

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

They got sugar.

They have dropsy...CHF

Done fell out

One lady who was older referred to her privates are her "ole pole cat"

Bad blood...syphilis or hepatitis

death rattle...that gurgling sound from CHF

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Specializes in ED; Med Surg.

Don't forget "prostrate" trouble, or as they say here...can-suh!

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

"High blood" usually, but not always, refers to hypertension but requires some further conversation to determine whether s/he means HTN or "the diabeetus".

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

The aforementioned "sugar diabetes" always cracks me up.

Also, I like the patients who have had "stints" placed after a CABG.

Patients who take "I.B.profen" or "dilaubid" for pain.

My friend has "the AIDS".

"Oh! I didn't fracture my leg, I broke it."

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

Ammonia for pneumonia (hubby keeps saying this no matter how many times I correct him!)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Off the top of my head, nursefrances:

"Hispaniola Disease" for Histoplasmosis.

"Congenital" Heart Failure for Congestive Heart Failure.

A lot of Patients who merely have had CABG's say that they've had "Open Heart Surgery".

"Mr. Whipple's Procedure" for a Whipple Procedure.

Ummmm, a CABG is an open heart surgery.

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Ok, "goody bits" made me chuckle.

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Ok, "goody bits" made me chuckle.

If you like that one, you should like these:

lady parts

honey pot

va-jay-jay

pootang

"my good girl"

People are ridiculous, aren't they? :)

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