Nursing Glossary

Hi! My name is Laurie-Anne. I am a student in the Natural Sciences program at Montmorency College. It is currently my third semester. This program opens the door to many career fields. I personally want to go into the Nursing Sciences program at university. In this glossary, there will be words related to the nursing field. It is mostly helpful for people going into the nursing field since these words are often used. Sometimes patients you work with might speak English, so it's helpful to know how to communicate with them using the right words. This glossary can also be useful to everyone who wants to learn new words. This glossary includes the following information: the term, the part of speech, a pronunciation tool, the definition from Google, the translation in French, an example of the word used in a sentence from Google, and a picture of the term from Wikimedia.

allergy

noun

An allergy is an overreaction of the body's immune system to a normally harmless substance.

Example: The patient was diagnosed with a severe peanut ALLERGY after experiencing anaphylaxis.

fr: allergie

bandage

noun

A bandage is a strip of cloth, gauze, or tape used to cover, protect, support, or compress an injured part of the body.

Example: She put a clean BANDAGE on her scraped knee.

fr: bandage

blood

noun

Blood is a vital body fluid that circulates through the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries, delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells while removing waste products.

Example: The doctor ordered a BLOOD test to check the patient's white cell count.

fr: sang

bruise

noun

A bruise (also called a contusion) is a mark on the skin caused by small blood vessels breaking and leaking blood into the soft tissue underneath.

Example: The physical examination revealed a tender BRUISE on the patient's left forearm.

fr: hématome

fever

noun

A fever is a temporary rise in core body temperature—generally reaching 100.4°F (38°C) or higher—that typically indicates your immune system is fighting an illness.

Example: The young boy stayed home from school because he had a high FEVER.

fr: fièvre

gauze

noun

Gauze is a thin, translucent fabric with a loose, open weave used for medical dressings, lightweight clothing, or wire mesh.

Example: The nurse wrapped the deep cut in clean white GAUZE to stop the bleeding.

fr: gaze

medical glove

phrase

A medical glove is a disposable protective covering worn on the hands during medical examinations and procedures to prevent cross-contamination between caregivers and patients.

Example: The nurse put on a fresh pair of MEDICAL GLOVES before examining the patient.

fr: gant médical

medical mask

phrase

A medical mask is a loose-fitting, disposable device that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants.

Example: Visitors must wear a MEDICAL MASK while inside the clinic.

fr: masque médical

needle

noun

A needle is a small, thin, sharp tool used for sewing, medical injections, or pointing to measurements on a gauge.

Example: The nurse walked in with a NEEDLE to give the patient a shot.

fr: aiguille

pain

noun

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience linked to actual or potential tissue damage, or a deep feeling of mental and emotional distress.

Example: After falling off his bike, he felt a sharp PAIN in his knee.

fr: douleur

patient

noun

A person who receives treatment from a doctor, nurse, dentist, or hospital.

Example: The doctor examined the PATIENT carefully before prescribing treatment.

fr: patient (masculin), patiente (féminin)

pill

noun

A pill is a small, rounded solid piece of medicine or vitamins that you swallow whole.

Example: The doctor prescribed a small white PILL to be swallowed with water twice a day.

fr: pilule

pulse

noun

A pulse most commonly means the regular throbbing or beating of the arteries caused by the contraction of the heart.

Example: The doctor checked my radial PULSE to measure my heart rate.

fr: pouls

rash

noun

A group of red, itchy, or irritated spots on the skin caused by an illness, allergy, heat, or contact with a harmful substance.

Example: The doctor noted that the patient developed a red RASH on her forearm after starting the new medication.

fr: éruption cutanée

side effect

phrase

A side effect is an extra reaction to a medicine or medical treatment that happens along with the main intended result.

Example: Nausea and dizziness are a common SIDE EFFECT of this new medication.

fr: effet secondaire

stethoscope

noun

A stethoscope is a medical tool used to listen to internal sounds of the body, especially the heart, lungs, and blood flow.

Example: The doctor placed the STETHOSCOPE on the patient's chest to listen for any abnormal heart sounds or wheezing.

fr: stéthoscope

syringe

noun

A syringe is a simple medical tool used to push liquids into the body or pull them out.

Example: The nurse filled the SYRINGE with the vaccine before giving the injection.

fr: seringue

thermometer

noun

A thermometer is an instrument used to measure temperature, indicating how hot or cold an object, fluid, or the air is.

Example: The doctor used a THERMOMETER to check if the child had a fever.

fr: thermomètre

to monitor

verb

To monitor means to watch, check, or observe something carefully over a period of time to see how it develops or to keep track of a situation.

Example: Nurses use bedside equipment to MONITOR the patient’s heart rate and oxygen levels.

fr: surveiller

vital signs

phrase

Vital signs are objective measurements of the body's most basic and essential physiological functions.

Example: Her VITAL SIGNS remained within normal limits throughout the surgery.

fr: signes vitaux

This glossary was made with the Virtual Writing Tutor glossary maker and grammar checker.