1. Basic hospital vocabulary. Rearrange the letters in brackets to form the correct word.
People in hospital with some form of illness are known as
………………………. (ptientas). When they first arrive at
hospital, a doctor or nurse ……………………. (tdamis) them and
shows then to a bed in a ……………………… (draw). There may
be a letter or …………………… from another doctor explaining
the history (learrfer). The doctor may have to complete a
…………………. for tests (sequert). Many medical personnel
have to be ready to go to work in the event of an emergency
if they are …………….-………………….. (cloanl). The doctor may
decide to have blood, urine or tissue ………………………..
(sencemips) analysed. Every day the doctor will speak to the
patients during the …………………. ……………………… (draw undor). Patients who require surgery will be asked to
sign a ………………….. form (steconn). A patient who is well enough to go home will be ……………………
(chagisdred). A patient who does not need to stay in hospital overnight can see the hospital specialist as an
……………….. (pattitoune) and will be given an appointment to attend the …………………… (liccin). When
colleagues are absent from work because of illness, others will have to …………….. (crove). Patients who are
getting better are ………………………………. (stealnecconv). The hospital may arrange for a ………………….. when
doctors are on holiday (cloum).
2. Places in the hospital. Where would you find the following in a hospital? Fill in the missing
letters.















all medical files, letters and reports _ EDICA _ _ECORD _
women having babies _ ABOU _ _AR _
someone having an operation _ HEATR _
specimens being analysed _ ABORATOR _
patients who have just finished undergoing surgery _ ECOVER _ _ RE _
people moving between rooms and departments _ ORRIDO _
staff and visitors eating _ ANTEE _
people that have recently died _ ORTUAR _
seriously ill people receiving specialist nursing _ NTENSIV _ _AR _
patients from accidents and disasters _ CCIDEN_ & _ MERGENC _
drugs being dispensed _ HARMAC _
stored blood _ LOO _ _AN _
people who have had a heart attack _ ORONAR _ _AR_ _NI_
patients being moved between floors _ IF _
elderly patients _ ERIATRI_ _AR_
1
3. People in the hospital. Match up the person with the correct definition and write your
answers in the box.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
1
E
2
They assist patients who have
difficulties speaking.
They move patients on beds,
trolleys and wheelchairs.
They look after people’s feet.
They work out special meals and
give advice on the most
appropriate food.
They are responsible for prepare
and dispense medicine.
These doctors’ speciality is
children.
Senior medical people who give
expert advice and are responsible
for final decision making.
They give massage and exercise
to restore specific bodily
functions.
They operate on patients to
repair skin damage or improve a
patient’s appearance.
Their work is rehabilitation and
assistance of people recovering
from or suffering from illness.
They operate equipment in the Xray department.
They work in the departments
which are responsible for
specimens.
They are responsible for running
and organizing a ward or
department.
They work together with medical
personnel in hospital and try to
deal with a patient’s
They clean and organize bed
linen.
These doctors may refer their
patients to hospital to see a
specialist or to receive specialist
care.
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
A
consultants
B
physiotherapists
C
D
ward sisters / charge nurses
plastic surgeons
E
speech therapists
F
chiropodists
G
social workers
H
medical laboratory scientific
officers
I
radiographers
J
dieticians
K
porters
L
pharmacists
M
laundry staff
N
general practitioners
O
paediatricians
P
occupational therapists
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
4. Things on the ward. Write the number of each description next to the correct word.
sheets - ____
mattress - ____
crutch - ____
trolley - ____
vase - ____
curtain - ____
drip stand - ____
bedpan - ____
tray - ____
bedspread - ____
observations chart - ____
oxygen point - ____
urine bottle - ____
MONKEY POLE
HOIST
hoist - ____
wheelchair - ____
pillow - ____
call button - ____
blanket - ____
basin - ____
name band - ____
monkey pole - ____
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
NAME BAND
CRUTCH
This covers the bed to keep off the dust.
To rest their head on.
A patient confined to bed will have to use this to urinate and defecate.
Patients use this when they need to call a nurse.
For identification, this is worn by patients around their wrists.
A narrow bed for transporting patients.
Wash your hands here.
A mechanical device for lifting and moving patients.
Drawn around a patient’s bed to provide some privacy.
Two of these on the bed are straightened regularly and washed every few days.
Meals are brought to the bed on this.
These keep the patient warm.
Male patients confined to bed use this to urinate.
Suspended above the bed, this can be used by the patient to pull herself up.
Patients lie on this, it’s sometimes hard and sometimes soft!
Intravenous fluid bags are suspended on this.
Patients who can sit up comfortably can be transported in one of these.
A patient with a broken leg will need two of these to get around.
For flowers.
A mask and tube from this will supply oxygen to the patient.
The patient’s condition is recorded here.
3
DRIP STAND
5. Instruments and equipment. Write the name of each piece of equipment below the correct
picture.
intravenous cannula / examination light / tongue depressor / weighing scales / catheter /
cotton wool / sterile latex gloves / kidney dish / stethoscope / vaginal speculum / forceps /
adhesive tape / needle / medicine pot / dressing pack / scalpel / syringe / scissors /
tourniquet
_________________
_______________
________________
________________
_____________
_____________
_______________
____________
_________________
_____________________
___________
________________
________________
___________
4
_________________
_________________
____________
_______________
_______________
________________
________________
______________________
_______________ _______________
________________ ________________
______________
_____________
_______________
_______________
6. Surgery: word formation. Use the words in brackets to form a suitable word in each of the
following sentences.
 Gangrene in a foot may require the …………………………… (AMPUTE) of the foot.

The ……………………….. (STERILE)of all equipment used in the operating theatre is
essential.

A scalpel is a small …………………….. (SURGERY) knife.

During surgery, the ……………………………… (ANAESTHESIA) administers drugs to
prevent the patient feeling pain.

For some short operations, local …………………………. (ANAESTHESIA) may be given and
the patient will be able to go home soon after.

One way of trying to diagnose an illness is to use …………………………. (EXPLORE)
surgery.

………………………… (CORRECT) surgery is required to cure a particular problem.

Certain conditions, which are not life threatening if left, can be treated with
…………………. (ELECT) surgery.

Cosmetic surgery to improve appearance is usually ………………….. (OPTIC).

The surgeon tries to make the ……………………… (INCISE) along the lines of skin tension.

……………………………… (ABSORB) suture don’t need to be removed at a later date.

An operation may be carried out for the ………………………. (EXCISE) of a tumour.
5