Clinical Terminology for International and U.S. Students

About this course: Understanding the clinical terms and abbreviations commonly used in U.S. hospitals is challenging. Adaptation to clinical language can be difficult for U.S. students entering the clinical area and even more so for international students whose primary language is not English. This course is designed to help both groups of students understand the terms and abbreviations commonly encountered during the first three months of clinical work on a U.S. hospital unit. Don’t forget that financial aid is available for this course. To find out more, click "Learn more and apply" next to the information about Financial Aid. (Use a computer, not a mobile device, for this step.)

Created by:  University of Pittsburgh

• Taught by:  Valerie Swigart, Ph.D. R.N., Professor of Nursing

  School of Nursing

• Taught by:  Michael Gold, Ph.D., Associate Professor Emeritus

  Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

Level Beginner Language English How To Pass Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. User Ratings 4.6 stars Average User Rating 4.6See what learners said Coursework

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Syllabus


WEEK 1


Introduction to Clinical Terms and Abbreviations



In the week 1 video lecture, Dr. Swigart introduces the course and strategies for understanding the structure of clinical abbreviations and complex terms. In week 1 readings, we focus on learning abbreviations related to vital signs. Understanding the structure of abbreviations will help you to identify the meaning of abbreviations presented in this course, as well as those you encounter in the future.


1 video, 12 readings, 5 practice quizzes expand

1. Reading: Welcome to Clinical Terminology!
2. Reading: Course Overview
3. Video: Introduction to Abbreviations and Complex Terms
4. Reading: Learning Objectives
5. Reading: Guidelines for Understanding Clinical Abbreviations
6. Reading: Key Terms
7. Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
8. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Vital Signs
9. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Vital Signs
10. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Temperature
11. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related toTemperature
12. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Pulse
13. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Pulse
14. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Respiratory Rate, SpO2 and TPR
15. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Respiratory Rate, SpO2 and TPR
16. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Blood Pressure
17. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Blood Pressure
18. Reading: Week 1 Study Guide

Graded: Week 1

WEEK 2


Decoding Complex Medical Terms



In week 2, we expand our focus to learn about abbreviations and terms used in the hospital environment. You will tour a modern U.S. clinical unit and visit the bedside of three patients. These vicarious bedside experiences will help you to imagine the context in which the terms and abbreviations are used. Making associations of the terms or abbreviations to specific people, places or types of patients will help to “set” them in your memory. Begin Week 2 by previewing the complex medical terms you will find in this lesson and sharpening your skills for analyzing the structure of complex terms.


8 videos, 14 readings, 9 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Decoding Complex Medical Terms
2. Reading: Learning Objectives
3. Reading: Guidelines for Understanding Complex Medical Terms
4. Reading: Key Terms
5. Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
6. Video: Tour of the US Clinical Unit
7. Video: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Health Care Provider Titles
8. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Health Care Provider Titles
9. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Health Care Provider Titles
10. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Hospital and Associated Clinical Units
11. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Hospital and Associated Clinical Units
12. Video: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Electronic Medical Records
13. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Electronic Medical Records
14. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Electronic Medical Records
15. Video: Abbreviations and Terms related to the History and Physical Examination
16. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms related to the History and Physical Examination
17. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms related to the History and Physical Examination
18. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Patient Health Care Practitioner Notation
19. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Patient Health Care Practitioner Notation
20. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Clinical Assessment Notation
21. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Clinical Assessment Notation
22. Video: The Surgical Patient: Mrs. Gerto
23. Reading: The Surgical Patient: Mrs. Gerto
24. Practice Quiz: The Surgical Patient: Mrs. Gerto
25. Video: The Comatose Patient: Mr. Taggert
26. Reading: The Comatose Patient: Mr. Taggert
27. Practice Quiz: The Comatose Patient: Mr. Taggert
28. Video: The Medical Patient: Mr. Cope
29. Reading: The Medical Patient: Mr. Cope
30. Practice Quiz: The Medical Patient: Mr. Cope
31. Reading: Week 2 Study Guide

Graded: Week 2

WEEK 3


Advanced Decoding Strategies for Clinical Terms



This week, Dr. Swigart shares more strategies toward discovering the meaning of complex medical/scientific words. It focuses on three essential clinical topics: abbreviations used in emergency situations, the timing and route of medications, and the administration of intravenous infusions. Learning about abbreviations related to medication and intravenous fluid administration requires that you pay close attention.


2 videos, 8 readings, 3 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Advanced Decoding Strategies for Clinical Terms
2. Reading: Learning Objectives
3. Reading: Guidelines for Safe Use of Abbreviations
4. Reading: Key Terms
5. Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
6. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Emergency Situations
7. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Emergency Situations
8. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Timing of Medications
9. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Timing of Medications
10. Video: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Administration of Medications and IV Fluids
11. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Route of Administration
12. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Route of Administration
13. Reading: Week 3 Study Guide

Graded: Week 3

WEEK 4


Diseases of the Bodily Systems



This week turns the focus to the acronyms commonly substituted for the name of diseases and conditions of the bodily systems. To help you relate the disease and its acronym, we have organized the diseases according to systems of the body. First letters of words or syllables usually form the acronym, and commonly at least one letter relates to a system of the body.


1 video, 13 readings, 8 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Diseases of the Bodily Systems
2. Reading: Learning Objectives
3. Reading: Guidelines for Understanding the Abbreviations for Diseases and Medical Conditions
4. Reading: Key Terms
5. Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
6. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Neurological System
7. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Neurological System
8. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Musculoskeletal System
9. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Musculoskeletal System
10. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Cardiovascular System
11. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Cardiovascular System
12. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Respiratory System
13. Practice Quiz: Respiratory System
14. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Gastrointestinal System
15. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Gastrointestinal System
16. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Genitourinary System
17. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Genitourinary System
18. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Endocrine System
19. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Endocrine System
20. Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to General Diagnoses
21. Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to General Diagnoses
22. Reading: Week 4 Study Guide

Graded: Week 4

WEEK 5


Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures



This week, the lecture focuses on the important aspects of patient safety when using abbreviations. The readings focus on laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures. A patient-case approach is used to help you make associations between diseases and the tests or procedures typically required.


1 video, 15 readings, 7 practice quizzes expand

1. Video: Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures
2. Reading: Learning Objectives
3. Reading: Guidelines for Understanding the Abbreviations for Laboratory Tests
4. Reading: Key Terms
5. Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
6. Reading: Supplemental Information About Laboratory Tests
7. Reading: A Patient with Anemia
8. Reading: A Patient with Anemia Exercise
9. Reading: A Patient with Anemia Answer Key
10. Practice Quiz: A Patient with Anemia
11. Reading: A Patient with Diabetes
12. Practice Quiz: A Patient with Diabetes
13. Reading: A Patient with Liver Disease
14. Practice Quiz: A Patient with Liver Disease
15. Reading: A Patient with Kidney Disease
16. Practice Quiz: A Patient with Kidney Disease
17. Reading: A Patient with a Traumatic Brain Injury
18. Practice Quiz: A Patient with a Traumatic Brain Injury
19. Reading: A Patient Requiring Anticoagulation
20. Practice Quiz: A Patient Requiring Anticoagulation
21. Reading: A Patient with Urinary Tract Problems
22. Practice Quiz: A Patient with Urinary Tract Problems
23. Reading: Week 5 Study Guide

Graded: Week 5

WEEK 6


Practice Understanding Clinical Abbreviations and Complex Terms in Clinical Situations



As you worked through Week 1-5 sessions you have learned about abbreviations and terms used every day in clinical practice. Now you are ready to use your new knowledge and test your comprehension skills. This week you see and hear clinical conversation in reality-based video simulations.


8 videos, 5 readings, 6 practice quizzes expand

1. Reading: Learning Objectives
2. Reading: Key Terms
3. Video: Introduction to Clinical Simulation
4. Reading: Introduction to Clinical Simulation
5. Video: A Doctor’s Request
6. Practice Quiz: A Doctor’s Request
7. Video: CC and HPI
8. Practice Quiz: CC and HPI
9. Video: PMH and Admission DX
10. Practice Quiz: PMH and Admission DX
11. Video: Vitals and Medications
12. Practice Quiz: Vitals and Medications
13. Video: Clinical Chaos
14. Practice Quiz: Clinical Chaos
15. Video: Hemorrhage and TX
16. Practice Quiz: Hemorrhage and TX
17. Reading: Clinical Simulation Resources
18. Video: Goodbye from Dr. Swigart
19. Reading: Contributing to the Clinical Terminology Dictionary

Graded: Week 6