Unit 13 Vocabulary — English for Nursing III

Adjective
Acute
sharp or severe in effect; intense
She was in acute pain when the doctor arrived.
Adjective
Bedridden
confined to bed because of illness or injury
Mr. Jones was bedridden for two weeks after the operation.
Adjective
Benign
non-cancerous, self-limiting
Benign tumors do not spread through the body.
Noun (thing)
Blood work
any of a series of tests conducted on a patients' blood
When the results of the blood work came back, the initial diagnosis was confirmed.
Adjective
Chronic
constant, having a long duration
She suffers from chronic migraines so she has to take a lot of time off work.
Verb (infinitive)
Combat
take action to reduce or prevent something
The health service has introduced free consultations on diet to combat obesity.
Noun (thing)
Counseling
professional guidance given by speech
Preventative counseling can be very effective in changing a patient's harmful habits.
Adjective
Deficient
insufficient, not enough
A lot of people take dietary supplements to compensate for vitamin deficiencies in their system.
Verb (infinitive)
Dispense
to distribute, to give to
Medications are dispensed at 08:00, 12:00 and 18:00 by the nurse on duty.
Adjective
Imperative
of great importance or necessity
It is imperative that women over the age of 40 be screened for breast cancer.
Verb (infinitive)
Interpret
to understand a meaning in a particular way
Unfortunately there are several ways to interpret test results so doctors cannot be 100% sure of the cause.
Adjective
Malignant
characterized by uncontrolled growth, invasive, cancerous
If the tumor is malignant, we will have to operate.
Adverb
Otherwise
a word used to indicate a consequence will occur if a suggested course of action is not followed
You should go to the doctor, otherwise the infection may get worse.
Noun (thing)
Pharmacology
the science of dealing with the preparation and effects of drugs
In order to work as a pharmacist you have to study pharmacology.
Noun (thing)
Rehabilitation
the act of restoring to good health or good condition
Patients can become very frustrated during the rehabilitation process.
Verb (infinitive)
Respond to
react favorably to
His body is responding to the treatment so he is no longer in critical condition.
Noun (thing)
Sedation
the calming of mental excitement or physical function often by the administering of drugs
Sedation is often needed when a patient is a danger to themselves.
Verb (infinitive)
Self-prescribe
designating a medication on ones' own without the involvement of a doctor
Patients who self-prescribe are often at serious risk as they do not have full knowledge on the effects.
Noun (thing)
Surgical intervention
the act of operating on a patient
Surgical interventions have become much safer in recent years.
Noun (thing)
Tumor
an abnormal growth of cells
If you feel a tumor in your breast, you should contact your GP immediately.