Nursing phrases

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Members are discussing common phrases and questions that nurses use with patients, including topics like blood pressure, advanced directives, pain levels, and medical terminology. They also share humorous anecdotes, language translation challenges, and advice for handling various patient interactions in healthcare settings.

Hi,

I am looking for phrases nurses commonly use with patients, e.g., "I am going to take your bollod pressure now," "This will hurt a little," "Please hold still," "Who is your next of kin," and "The doctor will see you now / shortly."

Thanks

Specializes in Utilization Management.

For the patient who wants to leave AMA:

Hello. I understand that you are dressing to go home right now, but your doctor has not discharged you yet. That means you are still quite ill and going home now could have very serious consequences for you health-wise. We don't hold anyone against their will, so of course, you have the right to refuse care for this problem. Here's the paper to sign that says you are refusing care.

Would you care to talk about why you want to leave now, before your treatment is complete?

I'm sorry that the problem could not be resolved. Now that you've signed this form, please understand that if you continue to have problems, you certainly can come back to the ER and be treated again for your problem.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

You might feel some discomfort when I put the Foley in, so I want you to try taking some slow, deep breaths..........start now.

You did just great!

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

on first (quick and dirty) rounds*:

hey there i'm p_rn and i am your rn this morning. susie is your lpn so you have two nurses today!

what can i get for you right now?

* make sure they are breathing, not on the floor, no blood or other body fluids pouring on the floor.

ok i'm back. right arm up for bp. it might pinch but be still so it will read the right numbers.

now let me hold your wrist and see how your pulse is...(surreptitiously counting resps for the 2nd half of the minute. )

while holding the wrist look at the iv site and the bag of fluids.

now breathe normally and let me listen to your heart, now deep breaths so i can hear your lungs.

let me see your dressing, tummy, throat etc (whatever is the problem)

if the number ten (10) is the most pain imaginable and the number 0 is the least or no pain where are you?

which you do want the pain shot or the pain pill?. i'll bring it right away...but if i'm runnig late how about calling again ....sometimes people forget or get distracted.

as you are walking out eyeball the room for stuff you'll need, soap, pillow, clean gown,

look at the clock and say out loud mr jones wants a pain pill;it's 9:25 now.

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Hi everyone,

I have a few friends that are nurses and being in Southern California they interact a great deal with the Spanish speaking community. Since they know I run this blog OneSpanishPhraseADay.com they ask me to translate common nursing phrases for them. I used some of the phrases on this thread to put together a list for 30 Spanish Phrases for Nurses.

I hope you will find this helpful.

Thank you,

Roman

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I'm guessing you are trying to pick up phrases in foreign languages that would be useful? Just about - I'm teaching English to nurses in Asia and Africa, and I want to include phrases they need / can use in dealing with English-speaking foreigners in their countries. This is a good list - Thanks!

Where is the pain?

What medications do you take?

Do you have history of health problems?

Do you understand privacy laws?

Do you give consent to _______ procedure?

When was your last period?

What's your birthday?

Can you pee in a cup?

Can you move {affected part of body}?

If you can, find a recent nursing physical assessment or nursing skills book. Most of them have a list in the back of common nursing phrases and statements with translations from English to Spanish. You could use the same phrases, just translate to your desired language for teaching.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Gotta love my facility required "scripting" we do with every patient:

(Before leaving room for whatever reason) "Is there anything else I can get for you? I have the time" (Of course I don't really have the time....)

oh and,

"I'm going to close your door/curtain for your own privacy"

Its actually for MY privacy, I don't want my patients staring at me when I'm trying to chart or whatever I am doing...

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"Tell me how you really feel"......I usually end up saying that to co-workers when they go on a rant about the facility.

"Dont get out of bed without assistance"

"What are you yelling for? Use your call bell"

"PRN does mean as needed, but the doctor still gives us a time frame"(Usually to drug addicts)

"Did you do that?"

"Im sorry I have to wake you again"

"Ive come to take your blooooood"(with accuchecks...i dont say this to kids, youll freak them out)

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