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 |
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
- Reading: Welcome to Clinical Terminology!
- Reading: Course Overview
- Video: Introduction to Abbreviations and Complex Terms
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Reading: Guidelines for Understanding Clinical Abbreviations
- Reading: Key Terms
- Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Vital Signs
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Vital Signs
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Temperature
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related toTemperature
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Pulse
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Pulse
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Respiratory Rate, SpO2 and TPR
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Respiratory Rate, SpO2 and TPR
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Blood Pressure
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Blood Pressure
- 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
- Video: Decoding Complex Medical Terms
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Reading: Guidelines for Understanding Complex Medical Terms
- Reading: Key Terms
- Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
- Video: Tour of the US Clinical Unit
- Video: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Health Care Provider Titles
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Health Care Provider Titles
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Health Care Provider Titles
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Hospital and Associated Clinical Units
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Hospital and Associated Clinical Units
- Video: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Electronic Medical Records
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Electronic Medical Records
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Electronic Medical Records
- Video: Abbreviations and Terms related to the History and Physical Examination
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms related to the History and Physical Examination
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms related to the History and Physical Examination
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Patient Health Care Practitioner Notation
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Patient Health Care Practitioner Notation
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Clinical Assessment Notation
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Clinical Assessment Notation
- Video: The Surgical Patient: Mrs. Gerto
- Reading: The Surgical Patient: Mrs. Gerto
- Practice Quiz: The Surgical Patient: Mrs. Gerto
- Video: The Comatose Patient: Mr. Taggert
- Reading: The Comatose Patient: Mr. Taggert
- Practice Quiz: The Comatose Patient: Mr. Taggert
- Video: The Medical Patient: Mr. Cope
- Reading: The Medical Patient: Mr. Cope
- Practice Quiz: The Medical Patient: Mr. Cope
- 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
- Video: Advanced Decoding Strategies for Clinical Terms
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Reading: Guidelines for Safe Use of Abbreviations
- Reading: Key Terms
- Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Emergency Situations
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Emergency Situations
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Timing of Medications
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Timing of Medications
- Video: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Administration of Medications and IV Fluids
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Route of Administration
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to Route of Administration
- 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
- Video: Diseases of the Bodily Systems
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Reading: Guidelines for Understanding the Abbreviations for Diseases and Medical Conditions
- Reading: Key Terms
- Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Neurological System
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Neurological System
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Musculoskeletal System
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Musculoskeletal System
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Cardiovascular System
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Cardiovascular System
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Respiratory System
- Practice Quiz: Respiratory System
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Gastrointestinal System
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Gastrointestinal System
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Genitourinary System
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Genitourinary System
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Endocrine System
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to the Endocrine System
- Reading: Abbreviations and Terms Related to General Diagnoses
- Practice Quiz: Abbreviations and Terms Related to General Diagnoses
- 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
- Video: Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Reading: Guidelines for Understanding the Abbreviations for Laboratory Tests
- Reading: Key Terms
- Reading: Prefix, Root, Suffix (PRS) List
- Reading: Supplemental Information About Laboratory Tests
- Reading: A Patient with Anemia
- Reading: A Patient with Anemia Exercise
- Reading: A Patient with Anemia Answer Key
- Practice Quiz: A Patient with Anemia
- Reading: A Patient with Diabetes
- Practice Quiz: A Patient with Diabetes
- Reading: A Patient with Liver Disease
- Practice Quiz: A Patient with Liver Disease
- Reading: A Patient with Kidney Disease
- Practice Quiz: A Patient with Kidney Disease
- Reading: A Patient with a Traumatic Brain Injury
- Practice Quiz: A Patient with a Traumatic Brain Injury
- Reading: A Patient Requiring Anticoagulation
- Practice Quiz: A Patient Requiring Anticoagulation
- Reading: A Patient with Urinary Tract Problems
- Practice Quiz: A Patient with Urinary Tract Problems
- 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
- Reading: Learning Objectives
- Reading: Key Terms
- Video: Introduction to Clinical Simulation
- Reading: Introduction to Clinical Simulation
- Video: A Doctor’s Request
- Practice Quiz: A Doctor’s Request
- Video: CC and HPI
- Practice Quiz: CC and HPI
- Video: PMH and Admission DX
- Practice Quiz: PMH and Admission DX
- Video: Vitals and Medications
- Practice Quiz: Vitals and Medications
- Video: Clinical Chaos
- Practice Quiz: Clinical Chaos
- Video: Hemorrhage and TX
- Practice Quiz: Hemorrhage and TX
- Reading: Clinical Simulation Resources
- Video: Goodbye from Dr. Swigart
- Reading: Contributing to the Clinical Terminology Dictionary
Graded: Week 6
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Ratings and Reviews
very good, but I would like to have more classes and more information.
Good one!
The simulations and audio snips made the class much more interesting and valuable than a standard terminology class -many thanks!
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I've become more comfortable with medical terminology. English is my first language but I'm studying to become a medical interpreter. I wish there were less audio in the multiple choice questions. It loads very slowly. Also, feedback would be nice on the free response questions.