Words You Hate

[OyWithThePoodles]

Is there a medical word that you absolutely hate? Or one that you can never seem to pronounce correctly?

Hate:

• Meatus. (Eww)
• Gargle.

Mispronounce:

Prophylaxis. I ALWAYS say prophylaxicks.

I have a co-worker that says Cefazolin wrong and is convinced she is right. Drives me nuts.

[gardenreed]

To "Orientate" means to face east. As in Orienteering, like the Boy Scouts. It is not the correct verb for someone who is ORIENTING to a new position. You're right to hate it.

[explorereb96, ADN, BSN]

Just saw "prophylactively" used in the title of a thread. I don't think that's a real word, lol.

The drug can be used prophylactically to enhance healing..... it is just spelled wrong.

[explorereb96, ADN, BSN]

A non medical word I can not for the love of god say is Massachusetts. I'm glad I never lived in that state because I would be embarrassed all the time. I tried to say it in conversation many times (my daughter lived there for 3 years) and every. darn. time. I would get a chuckle out of whomever I was speaking to. sigh...

[Jen.R.8]

Two of my favorites are patients who vomic and fall out.

[KittyLuv]

Orientate, orientated....just ugh. Makes my skin crawl. Glad I'm not alone!

Ophthamologist. Can't spell it with that "ph" in it....ever.

I'm a telephone triage nurse so.... "oh, you want an appointment? Wouldnt you rather talk to a triage nurse about your (hangnail, chronic cough, child's sniffles, 1 episode of diarrhea)?"

[peanutbaby123]

Alzheimer. For the life of me I can't say or spell it so I flub through it. Sounds like a mess.  I had to use autocorrect this time to spell it right

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

Tranexamic acid.

I say trans-ischemic acid. EVERY TIME. I still don't know the right way to say it.

[Hoosier_RN, MSN]

RCH? or RHC?

RHC. I was still asleep lol. Ooops

[offlabel]

Anethesis for anesthetist

Larnyx for larynx

Accrost for across

And finally, "how is your food tasting?"

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

offlabel said:

Anethesis for anesthetist

Larnyx for larynx

Accrost for across

And finally, "how is your food tasting?"

I ain't gonna lie...I still cannot say anesthetist.

The only reason I spelled it right is because I looked at your post.

[kalycat, BSN, RN]

toomanypants said:

Oh, I just learned that mucus is the noun and mucous is the adjective. 

"Gifting" also is a crappy word. As is shaft.

You will note that I screwed up that mucus thing too.

Repeatedly. 

Eta: I have to look up diarrhea and ecchymosis every damn time. I need an Epic smart phrase for both because they suck.

[chylerlove]

Ugh "pulmonary toilet" is one of the documentation options on our EHR care plans. Agreed that is sounds gross and could easily be rephrased.