If you’ve ever stared at a doctor during a hospital update thinking:
“I have NO idea what those words mean… but I’m too overwhelmed to ask” – you’re not alone.
Medical jargon is one of the biggest barriers between families and good care. Doctors speak in abbreviations, acronyms, clinical shorthand, and phrases that sound like another language. And the worst part?
The system assumes you understand it.
This guide teaches you how to break down ANY medical phrase quickly – even if you have zero medical background.
By the end, you’ll feel more confident, more in control, and a lot less intimidated by medical conversations.
Why Medical Jargon Exists in the First Place
Doctors and nurses aren’t trying to confuse you.
They’re trained to think and communicate in medical shorthand because:
- The hospital moves fast
- They chart constantly
- They’re communicating with other medical professionals
- Jargon is efficient between clinicians
But what helps them go faster slows families down.
Understanding medical language is part of becoming a confident advocate – and this guide is your shortcut.
Step 1: Learn the Three Types of Medical Jargon
When families struggle to understand, it usually falls into one of three categories:
1. Abbreviations
Examples:
- NPO (nothing by mouth)
- PRN (as needed)
- BID (twice a day)
2. Diagnosis-based terms
Examples:
- Acute vs chronic
- Congestive heart failure
- Ischemic stroke
- Atrial fibrillation
3. Process or system terms
Examples:
- Discharge planning
- Care coordination
- Home health
- Skilled nursing
Once you know which “bucket” a term belongs to, the meaning becomes much easier to decode.
Step 2: Break Every Term Into 3 Parts
Here’s the nurse trick:
Most medical words can be understood by splitting them into:
- Prefix (beginning – tells you direction, amount, or location)
- Root (the body part or system)
- Suffix (ending – tells you the condition or problem)
Let’s decode an example together:
“Hypoglycemia”
- Hypo = low
- Glyc = sugar
- Emia = in the blood
→ Low blood sugar
You don’t actually need to memorize every term – you just need to break them apart.
Step 3: Ask for the “Plain English Version“
Families often feel embarrassed asking for simpler explanations, but you shouldn’t.
Use phrases like:
- “Can you explain that to me in non-medical language?”
- “Say it to me like you’re explaining it to a family member.”
- “Can you give me the simple version first?”
- “What does that mean for the next 72 hours at home?”
This gives the provider permission to slow down and translate.
Step 4: Don’t Accept Abbreviations Without Explanation
Doctors often talk in shorthand:
- “Their BP is stable.” → Blood pressure
- “Labs are WNL.” → Within normal limits
- “They’re NPO until tomorrow.” → No food or drink
Always ask:
“What does that mean for me at home?“
This one question turns jargon into action steps.
Step 5: Use the 5-Second Google Rule (Smartly)
Yes, you can Google medical terms – just use strategy.
If you must look something up:
- Choose Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, or MedlinePlus
- Avoid Reddit, forums, or random blogs
- Look up the term paired with “simple explanation” or “for families”
Google can be helpful – but it should clarify, not panic you.
Step 6: Know the 20 Terms That Confuse Families the Most
Here’s a starter glossary you can screenshot:
Common Doctor Terms (Plain English):
- Acute → Sudden
- Chronic → Ongoing
- Stable → Not getting worse
- Non-responsive → Not reacting normally
- Hypoxic → Low oxygen
- Tachycardic → Fast heart rate
- Hypotensive → Low blood pressure
- Hypertensive crisis → Dangerously high blood pressure
- Altered mental status → Confused or different from baseline
- Sepsis → Body-wide infection
Hospital Process Terms:
- Case management → The team that arranges home health/equipment
- Care coordination → Who is in charge of the plan
- Discharge planning → Preparing the patient to go home
- Skilled nursing → Rehab facility (not a nursing home)
If you want this as a printable PDF, just say the word.
Step 7: If a Term Feels Scary, Ask This Magic Question
“Is this serious, urgent, or expected?“
Many medical terms sound scary but aren’t emergencies.
This question gives you instant clarity.
Step 8: Clarify the “What Do We Do Now?” Step
Even if you understand the word, what you need to know is:
- What does this mean today?
- What does this mean at home?
- What do we watch for?
- When should we call?
- When should we worry?
This is the gap in communication the healthcare system always misses.
To fill that gap, go to:
→ The Hospital Discharge Checklist Every Family Caregiver Wishes They Had
Why Families Feel Embarrassed Asking Questions (And Why You Shouldn’t)
You’re not dumb.
You’re not unprepared.
You’re not “bad at medical stuff.”
You were never taught any of this.
But now you’re in a position where understanding medical language could literally keep someone safe.
Your questions are not annoying – they’re necessary.
When You Want Help Interpreting a Diagnosis
If you ever feel like:
“I understand the words, but I don’t understand what to do with them.“
That’s where Willow & Wells comes in.
Book a 1:1 Concierge Nursing Session
We translate medical jargon into simple action steps so you know exactly what to do.
No guesswork.
No confusion.
No panic.
Bonus: Mini Jargon Decoder Sheet (Printable)
Prefixes
- Hypo- → low
- Hyper- → high
- Brady- → slow
- Tachy- → fast
- Neuro- → brain/nerves
Suffixes
- -itis → inflammation
- -emia → in the blood
- -pathy → disease
- -logy → study of
- -ectomy → surgical removal
Action Phrases to Use
- “What does that mean in plain language?”
- “What should we expect over the next 72 hours?”
- “What symptoms mean we need to call or return?”
- “What do we do next?”
