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	4.7 stars Average User Rating 4.7See what learners said

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 structur...

1 video, 12 readings, 5 practice quizzes

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...

8 videos, 14 readings, 9 practice quizzes

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 administra...

2 videos, 8 readings, 3 practice quizzes

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 word...

1 video, 13 readings, 8 practice quizzes

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 o...

1 video, 15 readings, 7 practice quizzes

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 real...

8 videos, 5 readings, 6 practice quizzes

Graded: Week 6

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