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B2 · 50 words
At the doctor’s and in hospital in Italian
Prescription, patient charge, screening, confidentiality — the words of a health service.
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Ways to practise
From these 50 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list Eleventh on this list is la farmacia di turno , and the two words that carry it are di turno . A turno is a turn in a rota, so la farmacia di turno is the chemist’s whose turn it is to stay open and il medico di turno the doctor on the shift now running. English says « on duty » or « on call », and the phrases line up well enough that a reader may stop there. That would be a mistake, because di turno does a second job « on duty » cannot do at all. Hung on almost any noun, it means: whichever one it happens to be this time. L’esperto di turno is the expert wheeled out for today’s programme la polemica di turno this week’s row il nemico di turno whoever is being blamed at the moment
The words
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Verb (6)
diagnosticare to diagnose Verb B2 Il medico ha diagnosticato un’allergia. The doctor diagnosed an allergy.
prescrivere to prescribe Verb B2 Mi ha prescritto due settimane di riposo. She prescribed me two weeks’ rest.
curare to treat Verb B2 Si cura il dolore prima della causa. The pain is treated before the cause.
operare to operate on Verb B2 ricoverare to admit to hospital Verb B2 Hanno dovuto ricoverarlo per una notte. They had to admit him for one night.
vaccinare to vaccinate Verb B2 Si vaccinano i bambini dai due mesi. Children are vaccinated from two months old.
Adjective (5)
Grammar for these: Adjective agreement · Where the adjective stands
cronico chronic Adjective B2 Il dolore è diventato cronico. The pain has become chronic.
benigno benign Adjective B2 Il nodulo è benigno. The lump is benign.
acuto acute Adjective B2 Si tratta di una crisi acuta. This is an acute attack.
preventivo preventive Adjective B2 Il trattamento è puramente preventivo. The treatment is purely preventive.
ambulatoriale outpatient Adjective B2 L’intervento è ambulatoriale. The operation is an outpatient procedure.
Noun (m) (14)
Grammar for these: Definite article: il, lo, la · Indefinite article: un, uno
il servizio sanitario nazionale the national health service Noun (m) B2 Il servizio sanitario nazionale copre le cure di base. The national health service covers basic care.
il ticket the patient charge Noun (m) B2 Il ticket si paga allo sportello. The patient charge is paid at the counter.
lo screening the screening programme Noun (m) B2 Lo screening viene offerto ogni due anni. The screening programme is offered every two years.
il farmaco generico the generic medicine Noun (m) B2 Il farmaco generico contiene lo stesso principio attivo. The generic medicine contains the same active ingredient.
il prelievo del sangue the blood test Noun (m) B2 Il prelievo del sangue si fa a digiuno. The blood test is done on an empty stomach.
il referto the test report Noun (m) B2 Il referto arriva entro tre giorni. The test report comes within three days.
il consenso informato informed consent Noun (m) B2 Il consenso informato presuppone una spiegazione completa. Informed consent presupposes a full explanation.
il segreto professionale medico medical confidentiality Noun (m) B2 Il segreto professionale medico vale anche dopo la morte. Medical confidentiality continues after death.
il caregiver the family carer Noun (m) B2 Il caregiver assiste la madre da quattro anni. The family carer has been looking after his mother for four years.
il contagio the spread of infection Noun (m) B2 Il contagio avviene attraverso le mani. Infection spreads through the hands.
l’effetto indesiderato the unwanted effect Noun (m) B2 L’effetto indesiderato passa in due giorni. The unwanted effect wears off in two days.
il triage triage Noun (m) B2 Il triage decide chi entra per primo. Triage decides who is seen first.
il tutore legale the legal guardian Noun (m) B2 Il tutore legale firma al posto suo. The legal guardian signs on his behalf.
il follow-up the follow-up Noun (m) B2 Il follow-up si fa ogni sei mesi. The follow-up is every six months.
Noun (f) (25)
Grammar for these: Definite article: il, lo, la · Indefinite article: un, uno
l’esenzione the exemption from the charge Noun (f) B2 L’esenzione vale per chi ha una malattia cronica. The exemption applies to anyone with a chronic illness.
la ricetta medica the prescription Noun (f) B2 La ricetta medica vale tre mesi. The prescription is valid for three months.
la prognosi the prognosis Noun (f) B2 La prognosi resta prudente. The prognosis remains cautious.
la prevenzione prevention Noun (f) B2 La prevenzione costa meno della cura. Prevention costs less than treatment.
la vaccinazione the vaccination Noun (f) B2 La vaccinazione si fa in due volte. The vaccination is given in two stages.
la posologia the dosage Noun (f) B2 La posologia cambia per i bambini. The dosage is different for children.
la farmacia di turno the duty chemist’s Noun (f) B2 La farmacia di turno è aperta di notte. The duty chemist’s is open at night.
la degenza the hospital stay Noun (f) B2 La degenza è durata cinque giorni. The hospital stay lasted five days.
la diagnostica per immagini diagnostic imaging Noun (f) B2 La diagnostica per immagini ha evitato un intervento. Diagnostic imaging made an operation unnecessary.
la radiografia the X-ray Noun (f) B2 La radiografia non mostra fratture. The X-ray shows no fractures.
la sala operatoria the operating theatre Noun (f) B2 La sala operatoria è occupata fino a mezzogiorno. The operating theatre is in use until midday.
l’anestesia the anaesthetic Noun (f) B2 Per questo intervento basta l’anestesia locale. A local anaesthetic is enough for this procedure.
la convalescenza convalescence Noun (f) B2 La convalescenza dura diverse settimane. Convalescence takes several weeks.
la riabilitazione rehabilitation Noun (f) B2 La riabilitazione comincia il giorno dopo. Rehabilitation begins the next day.
la disabilità the disability Noun (f) B2 La disabilità non si vede da fuori. The disability is not visible from the outside.
la malattia cronica the chronic illness Noun (f) B2 La malattia cronica richiede controlli regolari. A chronic illness calls for regular check-ups.
la carenza di personale the staff shortage Noun (f) B2 La carenza di personale chiude i posti letto. The staff shortage is closing beds.
la casa di riposo the care home Noun (f) B2 La casa di riposo ha una lista d’attesa. The care home has a waiting list.
le cure palliative palliative care Noun (f) B2 Le cure palliative alleviano senza guarire. Palliative care relieves without curing.
la donazione di organi organ donation Noun (f) B2 La donazione di organi si dichiara in comune. Organ donation is declared at the town hall.
la sanità pubblica the public health service Noun (f) B2 La sanità pubblica è competenza delle regioni. The public health service is run by the regions.
l’epidemia the epidemic Noun (f) B2 L’epidemia è rientrata in tre settimane. The epidemic subsided within three weeks.
la quarantena the quarantine Noun (f) B2 La quarantena è durata dieci giorni. The quarantine lasted ten days.
la controindicazione the contraindication Noun (f) B2 La controindicazione è scritta nel foglietto. The contraindication is printed on the leaflet.
la cartella clinica elettronica the electronic patient record Noun (f) B2 La cartella clinica elettronica segue il paziente. The electronic patient record follows the patient.
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