Dictionary: Words You Hear in Hospital

Anaesthesia: Medicine used to prevent pain during surgery. It can either make your child sleep (general anaesthesia) or numb a specific area (local anaesthesia).
Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP): A highly trained nurse who can assess, diagnose, and treat patients.
Allergy Clinic: A service that helps identify and manage allergies in children.

Biopsy: A procedure where a small piece of tissue is taken to check for disease.
Blood Test: A way to check for health problems by testing a sample of blood.
Bronchoscopy: A test that uses a tiny camera to look inside the lungs.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): A nurse with expertise in a specific area, such as asthma or diabetes.
Consultant: A senior doctor who is responsible for your child’s care.
CT Scan: A detailed type of X-ray used to see inside the body.

Day Case: When a child comes to the hospital for treatment and goes home the same day.
Dermatology: The care of skin-related problems.
Discharge: When your child is well enough to leave the hospital.

Electrocardiogram (ECG): A test to check the heart’s electrical signals.
Endocrinology: The care of children with hormone problems, such as growth disorders.
Emergency Department (ED): The hospital area where urgent medical care is provided.

Feeding Tube: A tube used to give food or medicine when a child cannot eat normally.
Fracture: A broken bone.
Family Room: A space where parents can rest close to their child.

Gastroenterology: The treatment of digestive system problems in children.
General Anaesthetic: Medicine that makes your child sleep for surgery.
Genetics: The study of inherited conditions and their treatment.

Haematology: The treatment of blood disorders.
Heart Monitor: A machine that checks heart activity.
Hydration: The process of keeping the body healthy by drinking enough fluids.

ICU (Intensive Care Unit): A hospital ward for children needing close monitoring.
Inpatient: A child who stays in the hospital overnight for care.
Immunology: The treatment of problems with the immune system.

Jaundice: A yellow tint to the skin and eyes, common in newborns.
Junior Doctor: A doctor in training, supervised by senior doctors.

Kidney Function Test: A test that checks how well the kidneys are working.
Ketones: Chemicals made when the body uses fat for energy, often checked in diabetes.

Lumbar Puncture: A test where fluid is taken from the spine to check for infections.
Lymph Nodes: Small glands that help the body fight infection.

MRI Scan: A scan that uses magnets to take pictures of the body.
Medication: Medicine used to treat or prevent illness.
Malnutrition: A condition where a child doesn’t get enough nutrients.

NG Tube (Nasogastric Tube): A tube through the nose to the stomach for feeding or medicine.
Neurology: The care of brain and nerve problems.
Nurse: A healthcare worker who helps care for your child.

Occupational Therapist (OT): A therapist who helps children with daily activities.
Outpatient: A child who comes to the hospital but doesn’t stay overnight.
Orthopaedics: The treatment of bone and muscle problems.

Paediatrics: The branch of medicine that focuses on children’s health.
Phlebotomy: Taking a blood sample for testing.
Physiotherapist (PT): A therapist who helps children with movement and strength.

Radiology: Taking images like X-rays or scans to diagnose conditions.
Receptionist: A staff member who helps with appointments and hospital questions.
Resuscitation: Emergency care to help with breathing or restarting the heart.

Scoliosis: A curve in the spine that sometimes needs treatment.
Staff Nurse: A nurse who works on a hospital ward.
Surgical Team: Doctors and nurses who perform operations.

Triage: The process of deciding how quickly a child needs to be seen in the Emergency Department.
Treatment Plan: A plan for your child’s medical care.

Ultrasound: A test that uses sound waves to create images inside the body.
Urology: The treatment of bladder and kidney issues in children.

Vaccination: A medicine given to prevent certain illnesses.
Ventilator: A machine that helps with breathing.

Ward: The area of the hospital where children stay for treatment.
Wheelchair: A mobility aid for children who need help moving.

X-ray: A test that takes pictures inside the body, often to check for broken bones.