Medical English Vocabulary for the OET

presenting complaint noun

The main symptom or problem, usually in the patient's own words, that has prompted them to seek medical help on this occasion.

So that I understand things properly, could you tell me in your own words what the main problem has been that brought you in today?

take a history phrase

To systematically gather information from a patient about their symptoms, background and circumstances in order to reach a diagnosis.

Before I examine you, I'd like to take a full history, if that's alright, so I can understand what's been going on.

red-flag symptom noun

A feature that may signal a serious underlying condition and prompts urgent investigation or referral.

I always screen for red-flag symptoms like weight loss, night sweats and blood in the stool before reassuring the patient.

past medical history noun

A record of the patient's previous illnesses, surgery and conditions.

Her past medical history includes asthma and high blood pressure.

drug history noun

A record of the medicines a patient currently takes.

Take a drug history, including anything bought over the counter.

social history noun

Information about the patient's lifestyle, occupation, home circumstances and habits such as smoking and alcohol.

As part of the social history, I'll ask about your job, who's at home with you, and whether you smoke or drink.

radiate verb

Of pain, to spread from one place to another.

The chest pain radiated down his left arm.

auscultation noun

The act of listening to sounds from the heart, lungs or other organs, typically with a stethoscope, to aid assessment.

On auscultation of the chest I could hear reduced air entry at the left base.

palpation noun

Examination of the body by touch to assess the size, consistency or tenderness of underlying structures.

On palpation the abdomen was soft, with mild tenderness in the right lower quadrant.

percussion noun

Tapping a body surface with the fingers to judge the density of the tissue beneath from the resulting sound.

Percussion over the lower lung fields was dull, suggesting fluid in that area.

tenderness noun

Pain or discomfort that is produced when a body part is touched or pressed.

There was marked tenderness over the right upper abdomen on gentle pressure.

guarding noun

Involuntary tensing of the abdominal muscles when an inflamed area is palpated.

Guarding in the lower abdomen suggested underlying inflammation.

oedema noun

Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues.

There was pitting oedema of both ankles on examination.

cyanosis noun

A bluish discolouration of the skin or lips caused by inadequate oxygen in the blood.

Central cyanosis was visible around the lips on inspection.

pallor noun

An abnormal paleness of the skin or mucous membranes noted on examination.

Marked pallor of the conjunctivae raised the suspicion of anaemia.

dyspnoea noun

Difficult or laboured breathing experienced by the patient.

He described dyspnoea on climbing a single flight of stairs.

handover noun

The passing of responsibility for patients from one shift to the next.

She flagged the unstable patient at handover.

observations noun

Routine measurements of a patient's vital signs (informally, 'obs').

Her observations have been stable overnight.

nil by mouth phrase

An instruction that a patient must not eat or drink anything.

Keep him nil by mouth before the operation.

deteriorate verb

To become worse.

Call the doctor if the patient deteriorates overnight.

stable adjective

Of a patient, not getting better or worse; steady.

He remained stable throughout the night.

administer verb

To give a medicine or treatment to a patient.

The nurse administered the injection into the upper arm.

cannula noun

A thin tube put into a vein to give fluids or medicine.

A cannula was sited in the back of the hand.

reassure verb

To ease a patient's worry with calm, clear words.

She reassured him that the procedure was routine.

rule out verb

To exclude a particular diagnosis through examination or investigation.

I'd like to run a blood test, mainly to rule out anything more serious rather than because I expect a problem.

safety-netting noun

Giving the patient clear advice on what warning signs to watch for and when to seek further help if things worsen.

I finished with some safety-netting: if the fever climbs or you develop a rash, come straight back or ring 111.

in layman's terms phrase

Using plain, non-technical language that a person without medical training can readily understand.

In layman's terms, the valve isn't closing properly, so a little blood leaks back with each heartbeat.

informed consent noun

A patient's agreement to a treatment or procedure given after they have understood its purpose, benefits, risks and alternatives.

I can't proceed until I've obtained informed consent, so let me explain what the operation involves and what the risks are.

it's most likely phrase

A hedging phrase used to convey the probable cause of symptoms without claiming complete certainty.

Based on what you've told me, it's most likely a simple muscle strain, but we'll keep an eye on it.

err on the side of caution phrase

To choose the safer, more cautious course of action when there is uncertainty.

Your symptoms are probably nothing sinister, but I'd rather err on the side of caution and refer you for a scan.