This article will provide essential Spanish phrases and vocabulary that nurses can use to give life-saving instructions, ask necessary questions, and reassure patients and their families during emergency situations.
Key Vocabulary for Emergency Care in Spanish
Here are some key terms that you’ll need when communicating in emergency situations:
- Emergency – Emergencia
- Help – Ayuda
- Doctor – Médico
- Nurse – Enfermera/enfermero
- Ambulance – Ambulancia
- Stay calm – Mantenga la calma
- Breathe – Respirar
- Injury – Lesión
- Pain – Dolor
- Allergic reaction – Reacción alérgica
- Heart attack – Ataque cardíaco
- Stroke – Derrame cerebral
- CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) – RCP (Reanimación cardiopulmonar)
Providing Reassurance and Calming the Patient
In emergency situations, patients are often anxious or scared. One of the first steps is to reassure the patient and ask them to stay calm so that care can be delivered effectively.
- Por favor, mantenga la calma. – Please stay calm.
- Estamos aquí para ayudarle. – We are here to help you.
- Todo va a estar bien. – Everything is going to be okay.
- Voy a cuidarlo/a. – I’m going to take care of you.
Asking About the Emergency
Gathering important information quickly is essential to provide appropriate care. Here are some phrases you can use to ask about the patient’s condition or the emergency:
- ¿Qué le pasó? – What happened to you?
- ¿Dónde le duele? – Where does it hurt?
- ¿Tiene algún problema para respirar? – Do you have any trouble breathing?
- ¿Es alérgico/a a algún medicamento? – Are you allergic to any medications?
- ¿Tiene alguna condición médica? – Do you have any medical conditions?
Instructions for Breathing and CPR
In some emergencies, such as respiratory distress or cardiac arrest, nurses may need to give instructions for breathing or CPR.
- Respire profundamente. – Take a deep breath.
- Inhale y exhale lentamente. – Inhale and exhale slowly.
- Voy a realizar RCP. – I am going to perform CPR.
- Voy a darle compresiones en el pecho. – I’m going to give you chest compressions.
- Por favor, no se mueva. – Please don’t move.
Handling a Heart Attack or Stroke
Recognizing the signs of a heart attack or stroke quickly and communicating appropriate instructions can save a patient’s life.
- ¿Siente dolor en el pecho? – Do you feel chest pain?
- ¿Tiene dolor que se extiende al brazo o a la mandíbula? – Do you have pain that extends to your arm or jaw?
- No se esfuerce. Quédese quieto/a. – Don’t exert yourself. Stay still.
- Estamos pidiendo una ambulancia ahora mismo. – We are calling an ambulance right now.
- Levante los brazos si puede. – Raise your arms if you can. (Stroke test)
- Voy a comprobar su presión arterial. – I’m going to check your blood pressure.
Giving Instructions During Trauma or Injury
In the case of trauma, such as broken bones, bleeding, or other injuries, nurses need to provide clear and concise instructions to stabilize the patient before further care.
- No mueva la parte lesionada. – Don’t move the injured part.
- Voy a ponerle una venda. – I’m going to put a bandage on you.
- Presione aquí para detener el sangrado. – Press here to stop the bleeding.
- Voy a inmovilizar su pierna/brazo. – I’m going to immobilize your leg/arm.
- ¿Siente mareo o desmayo? – Do you feel dizzy or faint?
Assisting with Allergic Reactions or Anaphylaxis
In emergencies involving allergic reactions, it’s important to respond quickly to prevent the condition from worsening.
- ¿Tiene dificultad para respirar? – Are you having difficulty breathing?
- ¿Es alérgico/a a algo? – Are you allergic to anything?
- Voy a administrarle un medicamento para la alergia. – I’m going to give you allergy medication.
- Voy a usar un epinefrina ahora. – I’m going to use an epinephrine (epi-pen) now.
- Por favor, quédese quieto mientras administramos el tratamiento. – Please stay still while we administer the treatment.
Communicating with Family Members
Family members can be just as anxious as the patient during an emergency. Keeping them informed and reassuring them is also part of emergency care.
- Su familiar está recibiendo tratamiento ahora mismo. – Your family member is receiving treatment right now.
- Le mantendremos informado/a sobre su estado. – We will keep you informed about their condition.
- Haremos todo lo posible para ayudarle. – We will do everything we can to help them.
Explaining What Happens Next
After stabilizing the patient, explaining the next steps is crucial so the patient knows what to expect.
- Vamos a llevarle al hospital. – We are going to take you to the hospital.
- Voy a pedir una ambulancia para que lo/a transporten. – I’m going to call an ambulance to transport you.
- El médico llegará en unos minutos para evaluar su condición. – The doctor will be here in a few minutes to assess your condition.
- Necesitamos hacer algunas pruebas. – We need to run some tests.
- Después de estabilizarle, le daremos más información sobre su condición. – After stabilizing you, we will give you more information about your condition.
Conclusion
Communicating emergency care instructions in Spanish is a critical skill for nurses working with Spanish-speaking patients. In fast-paced, high-pressure situations, it’s essential to deliver clear, concise instructions that help stabilize the patient and guide them through treatment.
By learning and practicing these Spanish phrases, you will improve your ability to manage emergency situations and provide high-quality care to Spanish-speaking patients. Your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish can make a significant difference in how quickly patients receive the care they need, which is vital to their recovery.