Basic Medical Terms
Knowing some basic medical terms in Spanish can help you understand and follow instructions more clearly. Words like dolor (pain), fiebre (fever), tos (cough), and medicina (medicine) are frequently used in medical settings.
Common Medical Commands
Doctors and pharmacists often give medical instructions using commands such as tome (take), aplique (apply), descanse (rest), and beba (drink). Understanding these commands makes it easier to follow treatment directions.
Dosage and Frequency Words
Instructions will often include words describing dosage and timing, like cada (every), una vez (once), dos veces (twice), al día (per day), and antes de (before). These help specify how much and how often to take medicine.
Understanding Warning Signs
Knowing phrases that warn about side effects or dangers is important. For example, no manejar means "do not drive," rechazo al medicamento means "allergic reaction," and busque ayuda médica means "seek medical help."
Practical Examples
A typical prescription instruction could be: Tome una pastilla cada ocho horas después de comer meaning "Take one pill every eight hours after eating." Practicing sentences like this helps with comprehension and response.
Tips for Patients
Always ask for clarification if instructions are unclear. Using polite phrases like ¿Puede repetir, por favor? ("Can you repeat, please?") or ¿Qué significa esta palabra? ("What does this word mean?") encourages communication and better understanding.
