Effective Communication Using Medical Terminology in Nursing

This nursing report emphasizes the critical role of effective communication and medical terminology in healthcare. It explores various instances of written communication between healthcare professionals, such as GPs, radiologists, physical therapists, and neurologists, highlighting the use of medical terms in patient care. The report includes examples of patient information forms and the use of medical abbreviations (HTN, RTA), demonstrating how clear and concise language is essential for avoiding clinical confusion. The conclusion underscores the importance of patient-centric communication using legally recognized medical terms to minimize risks. The report also highlights the significance of therapeutic communication and effective collaboration among healthcare professionals for optimal patient outcomes, referencing relevant literature on medical terminology and communication in healthcare settings.

Running head: NURSING
NURSING
Name of Student
Name of University
Author note

1NURSING
1.INTRODUCTION
As a health care practitioner, it is extremely important that one is fluent with the
communication part as every health care practioner plays a very important role in the health
care process. Just like a therapeutic communication is important for the ease of patient
understanding and cure of the patient – it is similarly and equally important to have an
effective professional communication with peers and the other disciplinary professionals such
as doctors, allied health professionals and the medical technologists. While all these clinical
communications are regarding the condition and treatment of the patient, there are also
various sets of medical terminologies used to decipher and interpret the exact clinical
meaning of an ‘instruction’, in an effective way (D’Angelo et al. 2017). These terminologies
are used in both verbal (oral) and non-verbal (written) communications and are of key
importance in a clinical scenario to deliver a patient care service effectively and
collaboratively. In this report, the various types of communication where I, as a health care
practitioner have used my knowledge of medical terminology with the different health care
professional.
2.UNDERSTANDING OF A WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
2.1Instance 1: GP to X-RAY RADIOLOGIST
‘I am Dr. Stephen Edwards and my patient Mr. Jones, 53 years jas been diagnosed with
myocardial infarction. He has tachycardia and tachypnoea as well. He was admitted in the
hospital on 4th of July following a RTA. He was given blood transfusions and fluid
resuscitations following the traumatic event in order to stabilize the hypovolemia. During the
general examination and respiratory assessment of the patient - an obstructive breathing was
observed. This was initially thought to be a sign that has resulted from the accident itself. Mr

2NURSING
Jones complained of pain on left side of the chest and when diagnosed, it was a gastric pain
as the patient missed meals. Yesterday night the patient has been coughing and wheezing
when late in the night, about 5 hours after meal – the patient complained of chest pain. GTN
was administered and the subject was relived of pain. However, we suspect a respiratory
involvement in the case. Patient had episodes of orthostatic hypotension and unstable Angina.
Request a chest X-ray.’
GP to Physical Therapist –
‘I am Dr. Robert Jones and Mr. Hope, 63 years is cuurently under my care. He was admitted
in the hospital on 4th of July following a dyspnoea attack. He was given ventilation following
the event in order to stabilize his respiration. During the general examination and respiratory
assessment of the patient - an obstructive breathing was observed. Patient has tachycardia
and tachypnoea. He has problems with breathing while walking, sitting, eating solid food and
even sometimes during rest. Patient has a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and
myocardial infraction. He has undergone bypass surgery about 3 years back and is now living
with wife at third floor. Mrs. Hope has complained of similar dyspnoea episodes while Mr.
Hope walked the stairs. Request an exercise plan and cardiac rehabilitation for the patient.’
Neurologist to a Cardiologist
‘I am Dr. Tom Walkers and my patient Mr. Richards, 73 years was admitted in the hospital
on 5th of August following a CVA. He was given ventilation following the event in order to
stabilize his respiration. Performing the general examination and neurological assessment –
the patient was found in an acute confusional state. Patient has symptoms tachycardia and
tachypnoea. The subject has hypersomnia and is drowsy most of the times. Patient has a
history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infraction and has undergone
angioplasty 5 years back. He is on beta blockers and antihypertensive medications. He has

3NURSING
complained of recurrent chest pain and last night had episodes of paroxysmal nocturanal
dyspnoea. Requesting for a cardiovascular assessment.’
2.2PATIENT INFORMATION FORM
Patient Data Form
Patient Name: Mia
Practitioner Name:
Date: 9/9/2019
Strengths and resources
Mia personal strengths and resources are finance, resilience and enthusiasm. She wants to
travel abroad and become a journalist. She is very self-motivated. She has a history of sexual
assault, identity issues and relationship problems and finds escapism and exploration as life’s
pursuit for freedom.
Client personal coping strategies and adaptions
Mia’s coming strategies are eating a lot of junk foods because of which she is getting
overweight. She has cognitive, esteem and attachment problems since she had her memory of
rape awakened and as a coping strategy – she has diverted her sexual preferences, love and
belonging needs from women than men. She copes with her existential crisis by travelling.
Patient Data Form
Patient Name: Mia
Practitioner Name:
Date: 9/9/2019
Strengths and resources
Steve’s personal resources and support are his family. He lives with his wife and children.
He is an soldier. He has PTSD which is very common with war veterans. He lost a limb in
land mine accident and had been sent home by military – where he is suffering even more

4NURSING
due to identity and social belonging issues. H is addicted to heavy drinking. He has mood
swings to go with. He lives in his own house and waiting for army to take him back.
Client personal coping strategies and adaptions
He has mood swings and due to substance abuse – has social detachment and social isolation.
After his family has left him with their children and lives in a different flat with her
boyfriend, he lives alone. His coping mechanisms and adaptions are heavy drinking and
smoking.
2.4MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS
If the patient has hypertension, HTN can be written as a proper medical terminology. If the
patient has a Road Traffic accident, RTA can be written during history taking.
3. CONCLUSION
The recommendations, actions and strategies while using the medical terminology has to be
patient centric and it should use the legally identified medical terms in a plain language to
avoid any clinical confusion or risks to the patient (Fage‐Butler and Nisbeth Jensen 2016).
The medical terminology that is to be used should avoid usage of any jargons that is not listed
legally.

5NURSING
Reference
D’Angelo, M.C., Humphreys, K.R., Li, T. and Young, M.E., 2017. The Impact of Medical
Terminology in Self-Triage Decision-Making. Frontiers in Communication, 2, p.6.
Fage‐Butler, A. M., and Nisbeth Jensen, M. 2016. Medical terminology in online patient–
patient communication: evidence of high health literacy?. Health Expectations, 19(3),
643-653.