Patient Transport and Examination
Two main terms are used in English medical vocabulary to refer to moving patients within a hospital and beyond. Gurney is a light wheeled cot used for transporting a patient within the hospital. Stretcher is used when an injured person or a deceased individual needs to be delivered to an ambulance (ambulance) or a hospital.
Special tables are used for direct physical examination of a patient:
- Examination table — a table on which the patient lies during the examination;
- Examination chair — a chair in which the patient sits during the examination.
Diagnostic Instruments
Before the examination, the physician puts on gloves (gloves). A tongue depressor is used for examining the oral cavity to hold down the tongue and provide a view of the pharynx.
The basic set of diagnostic instruments includes:
- Stethoscope — a stethoscope for auscultation of the heart and lungs;
- Thermometer — a thermometer for measuring body temperature;
- Syringe — a syringe consisting of a needle (needle) and the barrel itself; used for injections and blood collection;
- Vial — a small bottle containing a liquid medication;
- Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure monitor) with a cuff cuff for measuring BP — blood pressure (blood pressure);
- Weight scales — scales for determining body weight;
- Pulse oximeter — a pulse oximeter for performing pulse oximetry.
Dressings and Consumables
Dressings are used for wound care and covering injuries:
- Medical tape — roll-type medical adhesive tape;
- Bandage — a bandage or dressing;
- Gown — a medical gown; a distinction is made between a hospital gown for the patient and a surgical gown for the surgeon;
- Cotton wool — absorbent cotton, from which cotton balls (cotton balls) are formed;
- Tweezers — tweezers for grasping small objects;
- Scissors — scissors for cutting tissues and materials.
Long-Term Support and Immobilization Devices
A separate group consists of items that provide immobilization and long-term body support — long-term medical equipment.
- Sling — a supporting arm sling; a pediatric version also exists;
- Brace — an orthosis that holds a body part in the correct position, often following an injury;
- Cast — a plaster or synthetic cast (plaster cast, synthetic cast) that protects a broken limb (broken limb);
- Splint — a splint: a long, rigid object that immobilizes a limb; also used for transport immobilization prior to cast application.
Patient Mobility Aids
The following devices are used to restore or compensate for motor function:
- Crutches — crutches that allow mobility in case of lower extremity fractures;
- Walker — a walker frequently used by elderly patients;
- Wheelchair — a wheelchair for patients unable to move independently, due to either injuries or a severe general condition.
Key points
- Gurney is used for intra-hospital transport, while stretcher is used for delivering injured patients.
- Basic diagnostics rely on the stethoscope, thermometer, sphygmomanometer, and pulse oximeter.
- Tongue depressor — a standard instrument for examining the oral cavity and pharynx.
- A syringe consists of a needle and a barrel; liquid medications are stored in a vial.
- Dressings include medical tape, bandage, cotton wool, and cotton balls.
- Immobilization is provided by a cast, splint, brace, and sling.
- Crutches, walker, and wheelchair are used for patient mobility.
- A distinction is made between a hospital gown and a surgical gown depending on their purpose.