MEDICAL VOCABULARY WORDS

1. Abscess 34. Atrophy

2. Ache 35. Auditory Nerve
3. Acid reflux 36. Autism
4. Acne 37. Axillary Artery
5. Acute 38. Axillary Vein
6. Acute Pancreatitis 39. Baby Blues
7. Adenoids 40. Back labor
8. Adenoma 41. Barrier methods
9. Airway 42. Benign
10. Allergies 43. Biopsy
11. Alzheimer's disease 44. Birthmark
12. Amniotic Fluid 45. Birth certificate
13. Analgesic 46. Bladder cancer
14. Anaphylactic shock 47. Blood Pressure
15. Anesthesia 48. Blood Pressure Cuff
16. Anesthesiologist 49. Blood Pressure monitor
17. Aneurysm 50. Blood clot
18. Angina 51. Bloody stool
19. Ankle 52. Bone marrow
20. Anomaly 53. Bowel movement
21. Anorexia nervosa 54. Braxton Hicks contractions
22. Anti-inflammatory 55. Breast self exam
23. Antibiotic 56. Bronchitis
24. Antibody 57. Bruise
25. Anticoagulant 58. Burn unit
26. Antioxidants 59. Bursitis
27. Antiseptic 60. Calf
28. Aorta 61. Cancer
29. Aortic Valve 62. Carcinogen
30. Appendicitis 63. Cardiac Arrest
31. Arthritis 64. Cardiovascular disease
32. Ascending Colon 65. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
33. Asthma 66. Catheter
67. Cavity 104. Depression
68. Celiac disease 105. Dermatitis
69. Cervical Spine 106. Descending Colon
70. Cervix 107. Diabetes
71. Chickenpox 108. Dialysis
72. Chills 109. Digestion
73. Cholesterol 110. Dilation
74. Chronic 111. Disabilities
75. Chronic Pain 112. Discharge
76. Clinical trials 113. Dispensing
77. Coagulate 114. Diuretic
78. Cold 115. Diverticulitis
79. Collarbone 116. Dose/ Dosage
80. Colonoscopy 117. Down Syndrome
81. Colorectal cancer 118. Dull Pain
82. Colostrum 119. Ear Canal
83. Coma 120. Ear Drum
84. Complex carbohydrates 121. Ear Infections
85. Compound fracture 122. Eating Disorders
86. Congenital Abnormalities 123. Ectopic pregnancy
87. Congestive heart failure 124. Edema
88. Contraceptive 125. Efficacy
89. Contractions 126. Elbow
90. Contusion 127. Electrolytes
91. Cornea 128. Embolism
92. Coronary heart disease 129. Encephalitis
93. Cough 130. Endocarditis
94. Crohn's disease 131. Endometriosis
95. Cyst 132. Endoscopy
96. Cystic Fibrosis 133. Episiotomy
97. Cystic fibrosis 134. Esophagus
98. Cystitis 135. Estrogen Replacement
99. Deafness Therapy
100.Deep vein thrombosis 136. Extraction
101.Degenerative 137. Eyelid
102.Dehydration 138. Eyesight
103. Dentures 139. Fallopian tubes
140. Family Planning 176. Herpes simplex
141. Fecal transplant 177. High Blood Pressure
142. Female 178. High risk pregnancy
143. Femur 179. Hives
144. Fetal monitoring 180. Hormone replacement
145. Fever therapy
146. Fibromyalgia 181. Hydrocephalus
147. Fibrosis 182. Hypertension
148. Flu 183. Hypertension
149. Forearm 184. Hyperthyroidism
150. Formulation 185. Hypotension
151. Gallbladder 186. Hypothyroidism
152. Gallstone 187. Hysterectomy
153. Gangrene 188. Immunizations
154. Gastroenteritis 189. In remission:
155. Generalized Anxiety 190. Indigestion
Disorder 191. Infectious Diseases
156. Generic Drug 192. Infertility
157. Gestational Diabetes 193. Influenza
158. Glucometer 194. Injury
159. Glucose 195. Inpatient
160. Gonorrhea 196. Instep
161. Gout 197. Iron deficiency anemia
162. Groin 198. Irritable bowel syndrome
163. Gum Diseases 199. Jaundice
164. Hearing Aid 200. Joint Pain
165. Heart Failure 201. Juvenile Diabetes
166. Heart murmur 202. Kidney Stone
167. Heat Stroke 203. Kidney disease
168. Heel 204. Kidneys
169. Hematoma 205. Lactation
170. Hemoglobin 206. Laxative
171. Hemorrhage 207. Lesion
172. Hemorrhoids 208. Leukemia
173. Hepatitis 209. Lumbar
174. Hernia 210. Lump
175. Herniated Discs 211. Lumpectomy
212. Lungs 248. Pancreas
213. Lyme disease 249. Panic attack
214. Lymph Nodes 250. Pap smear
215. Malignant 251. Paraplegic
216. Mammogram 252. Paraplegic
217. Mastectomy 253. Pericarditis
218. Measles 254. Pertussis
219. Meningitis 255. Pharmaceutical Care
220. Menopause 256. Placenta
221. Metastasis 257. Placenta previa
222. Migraine 258. Pleurisy
223. Miscarriage 259. Polycystic ovary syndrome
224. Mole 260. Polyp
225. Mononucleosis 261. Post Partum
226. Multiple sclerosis 262. Postpartum Depression
227. Mumps 263. Pre eclampsia
228. Muscle sprain 264. Prescription
229. Nausea 265. Prognosis
230. Necrosis 266. Prolapse
231. Nephritis 267. Prostate
232. Non verbal 268. Prosthesis
233. Noninvasive 269. Proteinuria
234. Nostril 270. Pulmonary Vein
235. Numbness 271. Pupil
236. Obesity 272. Pus
237. Ointment 273. Rash
238. Optic Nerve 274. Relapse
239. Oral contraceptives 275. Retina
240. Osteoarthritis 276. Rheumatoid arthritis
241. Osteoporosis 277. Rhinitis
242. Outpatient 278. Ruptured Appendix
243. Ovarian cancer 279. Salivary Glands
244. Over the Counter 280. Scabies
Medication 281. Scrotum
245. Overdose 282. Seizure
246. Pacemaker 283. Septic shock
247. Pain 284. Sharp pain
285. Shot record 308. Thrombosis
286. Sickle Cell Anemia 309. Tonsillitis
287. Side effects 310. Tonsils
288. Sleep apnea 311. Toxicology
289. Sleep study 312. Traumatic brain injury
290. Spasm 313. Tubal Ligation
291. Specialty Drugs 314. Ulcer
292. Spine 315. Ultrasound
293. Spleen 316. Urinary Incontinence
294. Sprain 317. Urine Analysis
295. Steroids 318. Uterine bleeding
296. Stethoscope 319. Vaginal Infection
297. Stool culture 320. Vaginal Yeast Infection
298. Strep Throat 321. Vaginal discharge
299. Stroke 322. Vasectomy
300. Suppository 323. Vertebrae
301. Sutures 324. Vertigo
302. Syringe 325. Vitamins
303. Tachycardia 326. Vitiligo
304. Tear Duct 327. Wheezing
305. Tear duct 328. Windpipe
306. Tetanus shot 329. Wound
307. Therapeutic 330. Yeast Infection
MEDICAL ACRONYMS
You should be familiar with and able to use these terms in English and your target language. The Medical Terminology
that you will be assessed on will be pulled from this list.

1. (ADD): Attention Deficit Disorder 26. (IUD) Intrauterine Device

2. ADHD: Attention deficit 27. (IV): Intravenous
hyperactivity disorder 28. (L&D): Labor and Delivery
3. AIDS: Acquired immune 29. (MG): Milligram
deficiency syndrome 30. (ML): Milliliter
4. (BM): Bowel Movement 31. (MRI) Magnetic Resonance
5. (BMI): Body Mass Index Imaging
6. (CPR): Cardiopulmonary 32. (MS) Multiple Sclerosis
resuscitation 33. (NICU) Neonatal intensive care
7. CBC: Complete blood count unit
8. COPD: Chronic obstructive 34. (NPO): Nothing by mouth
pulmonary disease 35. (OCD): Obsessive Compulsive
9. CT Scan, CAT Scan Disorder
10. D&C, or D and C: Dilation and 36. (OR) Operating Room
curettage 37. (OT): Occupational Therapy
11. DNR: Do not resuscitate 38. (PACU): Postanesthesia Care Unit
12. (DNA): Deoxyribonucleic Acid 39. (PAP Test): Papanicolaou
13. (DPT): Diphtheria-Pertussis- 40. (PCP) Primary Care Physician
Tetanus 41. (PMS): Premenstrual syndrome
14. (EEG): Electroencephalogram 42. (PT): Physical Therapy
15. (EKG): Electrocardiogram 43. (PTSD): Post-traumatic stress
16. (EMG): Electromyogram syndrome
17. (EMS): Emergency Medical 44. (Post-op) Postoperative
Service 45. (Pre-op) Preoperative
18. (ENT) Ear, nose and throat 46. SIDS: Sudden infant death
19. (ER) Emergency Room syndrome
20. (G-tube) Gastric tube 47. (STD) Sexually Transmitted
21. (GERD): Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Disease 48. (STREP): Streptococcus
22. (GI): Gastrointestinal 49. (T&A): Tonsillectomy and
23. (HIV): Human Immunodeficiency Adenoidectomy
Virus 50. (TB): Tuberculosis
24. (HPV): Human Papillomavirus 51. (UTI): Urinary Tract Infectio
25. (ICU) Intensive care unit
Memory & Note Taking Skills
In Consecutive Interpreting memory and note taking skills are paramount. When there
is an emergency a Dr. or nurse cannot keep breaking up a sentence into shorter
segments. But as an interpreter it is of vital importance that you interpret ALL that is
said. For this reason, developing memory and note taking skills is essential!

In Consecutive interpreting Memory requires that you:

⦁ Hear

⦁ Listen

⦁ Visualize

⦁ Understand

⦁ Recall

⦁ Retain

HEAR

Make sure that you are in a quiet room, with no distracting noises. Make sure that your
headset is on at a comfortable volume where you can really hear what is being said by
both the Provider and the LEP.

LISTEN

Listening requires concentration so that your brain is able to process meaning from the
information that you are being given. This requires focus and engagement. It requires
actively listening with a desire to comprehend.

VISUALIZE

The ability to visualize what you are listening to is a powerful tool. This engages more
neural pathways and aids in retention.
UNDERSTAND

Once you are listening intently, you begin to truly understand what is being
communicated. Understanding is vital to memory.

RETAIN

Once you understand you must retain what is said. This can be aided by note taking.

RECALL

This is when you get to use the skills you applied to interpret what was said.

Note Taking Skills

Make sure that you have a pen or pencil and a notebook, or plenty of paper at hand.

While you cannot write down everything that is said, an experienced interpreter will be
sure to use their notes to retain the following:

● Unfamiliar Words
● Medication Names
● Numbers
● Dates
● Dosages
● Proper Names

When taking notes there are certain principles that are important to consider.

● Focus on ideas instead of Words

● Use “keywords” instead of full sentences
● Write down the main vocabulary words in order
● Group together main ideas and supporting ideas
● Use Abbreviations
● Draw pictures and symbols
● Remember to shred all notes
Standards and Practices Refresher
Every once in a while we all need a refresher course to remind us of the best practices
of interpreting. These help make our lives as interpreters easier, and also help us to
provide the best possible service to our Clients and LEP’s! So here is a quick
rundown!!

● Accuracy: All messages are to be interpreted accurately and

completely, without adding, omitting, or substituting. This holds true

even when it may seem redundant, irrelevant or rude.

● Flow: Interpreter manages the flow of the call, making sure that

statements are not so long that it will become impossible to give a word

for word account. Remember, when you allow the Client or LEP to

speak for long stretches you will find yourself “SUMMARIZING” instead

of accurately and precisely interpreting. It is perfectly acceptable to tell

the Client or LEP: “This is the interpreter. In order to provide you with

accurate and precise interpretation I will need you to please speak in

shorter sentences”.
● Register, style and tone replicated: When there is an equivalent in the

target language, interpreter is NOT to simplify, substitute or alter what

is being said.

● Correct Errors: Interpreter discloses errors and corrects them as soon

as possible. Ex: This is the interpreter. Please allow me to clarify with

the LEP as I omitted a previous statement”:

● Inform when Clarifying: Always inform the Provider and LEP prior to

clarifying. Ex: “This is the interpreter. I did not understand the name of

the street given by the LEP and will need to clarify with them.”
● Disclosure:: Interpreter discloses limitations and asks for needed

information. Ex: “This is the interpreter. I am not familiar with this

 ● term. Can you please clarify or spell the term so that the int. can look
it up?
● Impartiality: Interpreter refrains from counseling, advising, or
projecting personal biases, cultural practices or beliefs.
● Role Boundaries: Int refrains from advising. For ex: interpreter never
advises a patient on health care questions, but redirects the patient to
ask the provider.

OPI Impressions
When you are on an OPI (over the phone) call where the client cannot see your face,

your tone of voice makes all the difference in the world. One well known “trick” of the

customer service industry is to always smile when you speak! When you do so, your

voice sounds friendlier and more cheerful! It also creates a powerful sense of

connection and trust. Remember to smile! Especially when introducing yourself and

when ending your call.

Customer Service/Pleasantries
It doesn’t take a lot to create a great impression. Simple words and phrases

such as, “certainly”, “I’d love to”, “absolutely”, “my pleasure”, “happy to help”

and even, “I am so sorry….” or “I understand that you are upset”, “thank you for

bringing this to my attention”, all go a long way to creating great relationships with

the parties you interact with daily. And don’t forget your please and thank you’s!
 Client: “Interpreter, would you like to introduce yourself to the patient
now?”

Interpreter: “I’d love to!” or “Happy to do so!”

Client: I am so upset! I was just speaking to another interpreter and

the call dropped and now I had to call again!! I am not happy!!!

Interpreter: “I am so sorry to hear that. I understand why that

would
make you upset. But it will be my pleasure to assist you on the call
now!”

Client: “I’ve never used an interpreter before, I’m not sure I’m going to like
this!!”

Interpreter: “Oh, I understand! But I am very happy for the opportunity

to help you! It will be my pleasure to answer any questions you may
have about how this is done before we proceed!!

Client: “Wow, that was a tough call! I’m sorry you had to hear all that
interpreter. But thanks for helping me!

Interpreter: “Oh, don’t mention it! It was my pleasure to assist you!!”

Or “Don’t mention it! I was happy to be of service to you!”

These are just some of the ways that you can use your words to endear yourself to the

parties you serve, offer great customer service, and even defuse potentially tense

situations!
Appropriate Closing
How you close your interpretation session is just as important as how you open!! You

want the client to feel good for having used your services and to look forward to using

it again! The appropriate closing always includes a “Thank you for using our services”

at the end!

Client: “Our in-house interpreter has just arrived, end of call.”

Interpreter: “Certainly!” “Thank you so much for using our services and
have a lovely day!” or, “Of course! Thank you for using our services and
have a great day!”

“Yeah sure… bye” or “Ok, bye”

Noise Management OPI & VRI
Background noise must be kept to an absolute minimum. It is the responsibility of the
interpreter to manage noise issues coming from various in-home sources. Some
examples include:

● TV / Radio

● Washer/Dryer/Dishwasher

● Spouse/children/roommates

● Pets

However, for all of these there are some steps you can take to reduce noise during your
calls. These include:

● Noise blocking headset

● Adjusting Microphone

● A heavy blanket over windows and doors

● Rolled towel under door

● Low noise Oscillating Fan in background to create "white noise" to drown out
other noises

● White Noise Phone Apps (some free apps include TMSoft, White Noise Lite
and Chroma Doze)
We are here to help:

So to recap some of the things that we have covered in the Impression and
Appearance section of this guide:

● Good or bad, you always make an impression. Be mindful and make it

the best it can be!

● OPI Impression. Speak with a smile in your voice, and be mindful of

following the scripting.

● How you speak to the client, the positive and kind words you use, go a
long way towards making the client feel that they are a priority, and
even helps you to defuse potentially tense situations.
Accuracy and Precision
In all interpreting calls you must strive for accuracy and precision. As the interpreter,

the LEP relies on you to provide accurate information on dosing, medication names

and instructions! Ways to increase your chances of accuracy and precision:

1. Careful note taking.

2. Controlling flow of call to ensure that you are able to retain and take
down all relevant information
3. Asking for clarification and repetition whenever needed
4. Remaining focused and attentive throughout the call

Controlling the Flow

Controlling the Flow of the call is vital. An interpreter cannot expect a provider to

speak in only 1-3 sentences. An interpreter must be able to recall and to take good

notes, and keep up with the clients. However, if the provider is speaking in extremely

long segments, it then becomes the job of the interpreter to control the flow! One

simple and effective way to do so is to follow this script:

This is the interpreter speaking. I do apologize but in order to maintain the

accuracy of the interpretation could you please provide me with shorter
segments?

Medication Names
When servicing Pharmaceutical and Medical calls you will often come into contact with

medication names that are very difficult to understand, spell and pronounce. The LEP

relies on you to convey the name of their medications in an accurate way. Therefore, if

you do not understand the name of a medication it is best to ask the

doctor/nurse to repeat, or even spell the medication name for you. This will allow you

to convey the proper information to the LEP.

Example 1:

Provider; I would like to speak to you about your Hydrochlorothiazide.

Interpreter: I would like to speak to you about your Hydro… your…

Hydrochlo… You’re Hydrochloride.

Often when an interpreter cannot pronounce the name of a medication the tendency is

to “approximate”, rush, or mumble the name. But this serves no one. Instead try this

approach:

Interpreter; This is the interpreter. Could you please repeat the name of the
medication slowly?

If you still don’t understand, then it’s ok to request that the name be spelled.

Interpreter; This is the Interpreter speaking. How do you spell the name of
this medication?
Dosage
When relaying dosages to the LEP it is of the utmost importance that you are 100%

sure that you are interpreting accurately. For this reason, it is imperative that you

always repeat the dosage back to the pharmacist and clarify any easily confused

numbers with the pharmacist.

EXAMPLE #1:

Provider: That will be “fifty” milligrams of Hydrochlorothiazide.

Interpreter: “That will be fifty milligrams of Hydrochlorothiazide.

Why is this wrong? Well, what if what you heard as 50mg is actually 15mg? You

could cause a lot of harm by giving a patient the wrong dosage! For this reason, the

correct way to interpret dosages is to always double check. On any number. But

especially numbers that can be easily confused such as 50 and 15, or 60 and 16, and

on and on.

Interpreter: “This is the Interpreter. Did you say “50mg, as in 5 - 0, or 15mg as

in 1 - 5?

Provider: I said fifteen mg. 1 - 5.

Instructions
Pharmacy calls will often be full of “instructions” for the LEP. So, how do we put

everything we’ve learned together in order to give an accurate interpretation?

Provider: I will need you to take 15 milligrams of Hydrochlorothiazide twice

a day with meals.

Interpreter I will need you to take 50 milligrams of Hydrochlorothiazide

twice a day with meals.

Now the correct way to do it.

Speaking to the Provider: This is the Interpreter speaking. Is that 15 (1 - 5)

milligrams of Hydrochlorothiazide twice a day with meals?

Provider. Yes that is correct.

Now you are ready to interpret.

Example 2:

Provider: I will need you to take 25mg of Omeprazole before each meal.

Interpreter: This is the interpreter. Is that 25mg of Omeprazole before

each meal?

Provider: Yes.

You are now ready to Interpret! Remember, when interpreting for Pharmacy calls,
always confirm before you interpret!!
50 Most Commonly Used Drugs
1. Atorvastatin Calcium (generic Lipitor) 28. Alprazolam (generic for Xanax)
2. Levothyroxine (generic of Synthroid) 29. Warfarin (generic for Coumadin)
3. Lisinopril (generic of Prinivil) 30. Meloxicam (generic for Mobic)
4. Omeprazole (generic of Prilosec) 31. Clopidogrel (generic for Plavix)
5. Metformin (generic for Glucophage) 32. Amoxicillin/Potassium Clavulanate ER
6. Amlodipine (generic for Norvasc) (generic for Augmentin XR)

7. Simvastatin (generic for Zocor) 33. Allopurinol (generic for Zyloprim)

8. Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 34. Bupropion (generic for Wellbutrin)
(generic for Lortab) 35. Lisinopril/HCTZ (generic for Zestoretic)
9. Metoprolol ER (generic for Toprol XL) 36. Citalopram (generic for Celexa)
10. Losartan (generic for Cozaar) 37. Losartan Potassium (generic for
11. Azithromycin (generic for Zithromax) Cozaar)

12. Zolpidem (generic for Ambien) 38. Atenolol (generic for Tenormin)
13. Hydrochlorothiazide (generic for 39. Cialis
Microzide) 40. Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
14. Furosemide (generic for Lasix) 41. Fluoxetine (generic for Prozac)
15. Metoprolol (generic for Lopressor) 42. Fenofibrate (generic for Tricor)
16. Pantoprazole (generic for Protonix) 43. Crestor
17. Gabapentin (generic for Neurontin) 44. Venlafaxine (generic for Effexor)
18. Amoxicillin (generic for Amoxil) 45. Ventolin
19. Prednisone (generic for Deltasone) 46. Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine
20. Sertraline (generic for Zoloft) (generic for Adderall)

21. Tamsulosin (generic for Flomax) 47. Cyclobenzaprine (generic for Flexeril)
22. Fluticasone (generic for Flonase) 48. Trazodone (generic for Oleptro)
23. Pravastatin (generic for Pravachol) 49. Methylprednisolone (generic for
24. Tramadol (generic for Ultram) Medrol)

25. Montelukast (generic for Singulair) 50. Potassium Chloride (generic for Klor-
26. Escitalopram (generic for Lexapro) Con)

27. Carvedilol (generic for Coreg)