00:00
In this lesson, we begin a four-lesson series covering the medical equipment and supplies used every day in patient care. Our goal is to review high-value vocabulary — including el termómetro (thermometer), el manguito de presión (blood pressure cuff), el oxímetro (oximeter), el monitor cardíaco (cardiac monitor), and el glucómetro (glucometer) — and to practice describing their clinical use with short phrases using the passive se.
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🙏 Gracias a Henry Mejía, de la Cultural Spanish School, por su ayuda con el español de esta lección.
Thermometer
02:23
Vocabulary
medir – to measure
la temperatura – temperature
colocar – to place
The verbs “colocar” and “poner” have very similar meanings, but “colocar” expresses a more precise action, like “to place” in English.
el termómetro – thermometer
la frente – forehead
la axila – underarm
debajo de – under
la lengua – tongue
el recto – rectum
Interpretation Practice
Se mide la temperatura con este termómetro.
Your temperature is measured with this thermometer.
You can also start with the subject — “La temperatura se mide con este termómetro” — but leading with the verb, “Se mide la temperatura…”, sounds more natural when giving instructions to a patient.
In Spanish, the definite article is typically used before clinical measurements and body parts when it’s clear who is being referred to.
Se coloca el termómetro…
The thermometer is placed…
– en la frente
– on your forehead
– en la axila
– in your underarm
– debajo del brazo
– under your arm
– debajo de la lengua
– under your tongue
Se coloca el termómetro en el recto para medir la temperatura.
The thermometer is placed in your rectum to measure your temperature.
Blood Pressure Cuff
07:16
Vocabulary
el manguito – (blood pressure) cuff
la presión (arterial) – blood pressure
inflar – to inflate
“Presión arterial” is the more specific, technical form.
Interpretation Practice
Se coloca el manguito alrededor del brazo para tomar la presión.
The blood pressure cuff is placed around your arm to take your blood pressure.
Se infla el manguito para medir la presión.
The cuff is inflated to measure your blood pressure.
In Spanish it’s common to use definite articles — el brazo, la mano, la lengua — instead of possessives when it’s clear you’re referring to the patient’s body.
Oximeter
09:04
Vocabulary
el oxígeno – oxygen
el nivel de oxígeno en la sangre – blood oxygen level
el oxímetro – oximeter
Interpretation Practice
Se mide el nivel de oxígeno en la sangre con este oxímetro.
The oxygen level in your blood is measured with this oximeter.
Se pone el oxímetro en el dedo.
The oximeter is placed on your finger.
Cardiac Monitor
10:24
Vocabulary
los electrodos – electrodes
vigilar – to monitor / watch over
monitorear / controlar – alternative verbs meaning “to monitor”
los latidos del corazón – heartbeats
“Latidos del corazón” is used for both “heartbeat” and “heartbeats.”
las pulsaciones – pulse beats
a través de – through / by means of
“Pulsaciones” is used for pulse beats.
Interpretation Practice
Se colocan electrodos en el pecho.
Electrodes are placed on your chest.
Se vigilan los latidos del corazón a través de estos electrodos.
Your heartbeat is monitored through these electrodes.
Glucometer
12:26
Vocabulary
el nivel de azúcar – blood sugar level
el glucómetro – glucometer
la lanceta – lancet
pinchar – to prick
picar – to prick (used in Mexico)
la yema del dedo – fingertip
sacar – to draw (as in draw blood)
la gota de sangre – drop of blood
Interpretation Practice
Se mide el nivel de azúcar en la sangre con este glucómetro.
Your blood sugar level is measured with this glucometer.
Se utiliza esta lanceta para pinchar la yema del dedo y sacar una gota de sangre.
This lancet is used to prick your fingertip and draw a drop of blood.
“Usar” and “utilizar” mean the same thing in this context: “Se usa esta lanceta…” is also correct.
A Look at What’s Coming for Members
14:44
Well done. You’ve completed this lesson on the medical equipment used to monitor patients.
In the following members-only lessons, we’ll cover:
La habitación del hospital (the hospital room) – blankets, pillow, controls, buttons, bed positions
Respiración y vía intravenosa (breathing and IV lines) – mask, mouthpiece, ventilator, breathing tube, secretions, IV, pump, saline
El cuidado de lesiones (wound care) – bandage, dressing, tourniquet, cast, splint, sling, tubes, drains
You’ll learn lots of practical vocabulary, then put it to work in short sentences using the passive se, just like we did in this lesson.
To keep learning with us, become a member now at DocMolly.com.
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Gracias por escuchar. ¡Hasta luego!