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Learning nursing vocabulary is essential for anyone working in hospitals, clinics, or healthcare centers. Whether you are preparing for nursing school, improving your Medical English, or working with international patients, you need to understand and use precise terminology. This post offers clear explanations and practical nursing vocabulary exercises to help you build confidence.
Why Practice Nursing Vocabulary?
Nurses use English to:
- Communicate with patients
- Understand doctors’ instructions
- Write clear medical notes
- Use equipment safely
- Work effectively with healthcare teams
Practicing this vocabulary through exercises helps you remember it, use it correctly, and apply it in real situations.
Nursing Vocabulary Exercises
1. Matching Exercise
Match the word with its correct meaning.
| Words | Definitions |
|---|---|
| 1. Injection | a. A soft material used to clean or cover wounds |
| 2. Vital signs | b. Beats of the heart per minute |
| 3. Bandage | c. Used to take body temperature |
| 4. Fracture | d. Measurements of basic body functions |
| 5. Stethoscope | e. Medicine given through a needle |
| 6. Allergy | f. A broken bone |
| 7. Gauze | g. A tool used to listen to the heart |
| 8. Pulse | h. Reaction to food, dust, or medicine |
| 9. IV line | i. Tube used to give fluids or medication |
| 10. Thermometer | j. Material used to cover a wound |
2-d
3-j
4-f
5-g
6-h
7-a
8-b
9-i
10-c
2. Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise
Use these words:
injection, fracture, symptoms, diagnosis, medication, thermometer, recovery, allergy, vital signs, stethoscope
- The doctor made a __________ after reviewing the test results.
- The nurse gave the patient an __________ for pain.
- A __________ is used to check body temperature.
- The patient’s __________ included fever and headache.
- You must take your __________ twice a day.
- The patient is making good __________ after surgery.
- The X-ray showed a __________ in the patient’s leg.
- She has an __________ to penicillin.
- The nurse used a __________ to listen to the patient’s chest.
- The nurse checked the patient’s __________ every two hours.
2 injection
3 thermometer
4 symptoms
5 medication
6 recovery
7 fracture
8 allergy
9 stethoscope
10 vital signs
3. Nurse–Patient Dialogue Exercise
Fill in the blanks using the words:
blood pressure, pain, medication, symptoms, temperature, pulse, injection, allergy, fracture, dizziness
- Nurse: Good morning. What __________ are you experiencing today?
- Patient: I have some chest __________ and a little __________.
- Nurse: I see. I’m going to take your __________, check your __________, and measure your __________.
- Patient: Do I need an __________?
- Nurse: Maybe. Are you allergic to any __________?
- Patient: Yes, I have an __________ to penicillin.
- Nurse: Thank you. Also, the X-ray shows a small __________ in your wrist.
2. pain
3. dizziness
4. blood pressure
5. pulse
6. temperature
7. injection
8. medication
9. allergy
1. fracture
4. Multiple-Choice Quiz
Choose the correct answer.
- A syringe is used for:
- a. cleaning wounds
- b. measuring heart rate
- c. giving an injection
- Vital signs do NOT include:
- a. temperature
- b. blood pressure
- c. height
- A patient is “discharged” when:
- a. they arrive at the hospital
- b. they are allowed to go home
- c. they get an X-ray
- A stethoscope helps nurses:
- a. listen to the heart
- b. check blood sugar
- c. clean wounds
- Gauze is used to:
- a. listen to the heart
- b. clean or cover wounds
- c. measure temperature
- A fracture is:
- a. a fever
- b. a broken bone
- c. a type of medication
- A pulse tells you:
- a. how fast the heart is beating
- b. how tall the patient is
- c. the oxygen level
- A thermometer measures:
- a. body temperature
- b. blood pressure
- c. pain level
2. c
3. b
4. a
5. b
6. b
7. a
8. a
5. Short Reading + True or False Exercise
Read the paragraph and decide if each statement is True or False.
Reading:
Nurses check vital signs regularly to monitor the patient’s condition. They measure temperature with a thermometer, pulse with two fingers on the wrist, and blood pressure with a blood pressure cuff. If a patient has strong pain, infection, or a fracture, the nurse may give medication or prepare the patient for an X-ray. When the patient is stable and feeling better, they can be discharged from the hospital.
Comprehension Questions: Are these Statements True or False?
- Nurses use a stethoscope to measure temperature.
- Vital signs help nurses understand the patient’s condition.
- A blood pressure cuff measures blood pressure.
- Patients are discharged when they get worse.
- Medication is sometimes given to reduce pain.
2. True
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. Nursing Vocabulary Speaking Practice (For Teachers or Self-Study)
Use the prompts to create sentences or short dialogues.
- Describe a time when you checked vital signs.
- Explain how to use a thermometer.
- Role-play giving instructions to a patient.
- Talk about common symptoms like fever, headache, or cough.
Recap: Nursing Vocabulary, Key Words to Know
Here are some essential nursing words your learners should master:
Medical Terms
- Diagnosis – identifying an illness
- Symptom – a sign of a health problem
- Medication – medicine a patient takes
- Injection – medication given with a syringe
- Vital signs – important body measurements (heart rate, temperature, blood pressure)
- Fracture – a broken bone
- Allergy – a negative reaction to something
- Recovery – getting better after an illness
- Discharge – when a patient leaves the hospital
Tools and Equipment
- Stethoscope – instrument for listening to the heart and lungs
- Thermometer – measures body temperature
- Blood pressure cuff – measures blood pressure
- IV line – gives fluids or medication
- Bandage – protects wounds
- Gauze – soft cloth for cleaning wounds
- Gloves – protect hands from infection
Conclusion
These nursing vocabulary exercises are designed to help learners practice essential medical English in a practical and meaningful way. Mastering these words will make communication in hospitals and healthcare settings easier, clearer, and more professional.
