What is your full name and date of birth?

In Spanish: "¿Cuál es su nombre completo y fecha de nacimiento?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

What brings you to the clinic today?

In Spanish: "¿Qué le trae hoy a la clínica?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

Where does it hurt exactly?

In Spanish: "¿Dónde le duele exactamente?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

On a scale of one to ten, how strong is the pain?

In Spanish: "En una escala del uno al diez, ¿qué tan fuerte es el dolor?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

When did the pain start?

In Spanish: "¿Cuándo empezó el dolor?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

Is the pain constant or does it come and go?

In Spanish: "¿El dolor es constante o va y viene?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

Do you have fever, cough, or chills?

In Spanish: "¿Tiene fiebre, tos o escalofríos?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

Have you had nausea or vomiting?

In Spanish: "¿Ha tenido náuseas o vómitos?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

Do you feel dizzy or weak?

In Spanish: "¿Se siente mareado o débil?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

Are you currently taking any medication?

In Spanish: "¿Toma algún medicamento actualmente?". This is a high-frequency question used in medical spanish for healthcare workers.

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Medical Spanish for Healthcare Workers

Communicate clearly and compassionately with Spanish-speaking patients

For nurses, doctors, EMTs, and clinic staff, even a few clear sentences in Spanish can change a patient's experience — and outcome. This page is designed for healthcare workers who need practical, accurate phrases they can use on shift this week.

All vocabulary and dialogues are written in clinically neutral Spanish that travels well across Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic community. Practice the questions aloud until they're reflexive — when a patient is in pain, you don't want to be searching for the word.

20 practice questions3 sample dialogues3 roleplay scenarios

Key vocabulary

Essential words and phrases for this topic.

Spanish	English
el dolor	pain
agudo / sordo	sharp / dull
la fiebre	fever
los escalofríos	chills
la tos	cough
la falta de aire	shortness of breath
mareado / mareada	dizzy
náuseas / vómitos	nausea / vomiting
la presión arterial	blood pressure
la frecuencia cardíaca	heart rate
alergias	allergies
medicamentos actuales	current medications
embarazada	pregnant
una receta	a prescription
una radiografía	an X-ray
una muestra de sangre	a blood sample
ayuno	fasting
efectos secundarios	side effects
el consentimiento informado	informed consent
la sala de emergencias	the emergency room

20 practice questions

Read each question out loud, then answer in Spanish.

01
¿Cuál es su nombre completo y fecha de nacimiento?
What is your full name and date of birth?
02
¿Qué le trae hoy a la clínica?
What brings you to the clinic today?
03
¿Dónde le duele exactamente?
Where does it hurt exactly?
04
En una escala del uno al diez, ¿qué tan fuerte es el dolor?
On a scale of one to ten, how strong is the pain?
05
¿Cuándo empezó el dolor?
When did the pain start?
06
¿El dolor es constante o va y viene?
Is the pain constant or does it come and go?
07
¿Tiene fiebre, tos o escalofríos?
Do you have fever, cough, or chills?
08
¿Ha tenido náuseas o vómitos?
Have you had nausea or vomiting?
09
¿Se siente mareado o débil?
Do you feel dizzy or weak?
10
¿Toma algún medicamento actualmente?
Are you currently taking any medication?
11
¿Es alérgico a algún medicamento?
Are you allergic to any medication?
12
¿Tiene alguna enfermedad crónica?
Do you have any chronic illness?
13
¿Ha sido operado alguna vez?
Have you ever had surgery?
14
¿Está embarazada o podría estarlo?
Are you pregnant or could you be?
15
¿Cuándo fue su última comida?
When was your last meal?
16
¿Fuma o consume alcohol?
Do you smoke or drink alcohol?
17
Voy a tomarle la presión, ¿está bien?
I'm going to take your blood pressure, is that OK?
18
Necesitamos hacerle un análisis de sangre.
We need to do a blood test.
19
Le voy a explicar el procedimiento paso a paso.
I'll explain the procedure step by step.
20
¿Tiene alguna pregunta antes de empezar?
Do you have any questions before we start?

Sample dialogues

Practice both sides out loud to build natural rhythm.

Triage in the emergency room

A patient walks into the ER with chest pain.

Enfermera
Buenas tardes, ¿me dice su nombre y qué le pasa?
Good afternoon, can you tell me your name and what's wrong?
Paciente
Soy Marta López. Tengo un dolor fuerte en el pecho.
I'm Marta López. I have a strong chest pain.
Enfermera
¿Cuándo empezó?
When did it start?
Paciente
Hace como una hora.
About an hour ago.
Enfermera
En una escala del uno al diez, ¿qué tan fuerte es?
On a scale of one to ten, how strong is it?
Paciente
Como un ocho.
About an eight.
Enfermera
Voy a tomarle la presión y el oxígeno. Respire normal.
I'll take your blood pressure and oxygen. Breathe normally.
Paciente
Está bien. Tengo miedo.
OK. I'm scared.
Enfermera
Tranquila, estamos con usted. El doctor viene enseguida.
Stay calm, we're with you. The doctor is coming right away.

Explaining a prescription at discharge

A nurse reviews medications before sending the patient home.

Enfermero
Le voy a explicar los medicamentos, ¿de acuerdo?
I'm going to explain your medications, OK?
Paciente
Sí, por favor, despacio.
Yes, please, slowly.
Enfermero
Este antibiótico, uno cada ocho horas, durante siete días.
This antibiotic, one every eight hours, for seven days.
Paciente
¿Con comida o sin comida?
With food or without food?
Enfermero
Mejor con comida para evitar náuseas.
Better with food to avoid nausea.
Paciente
¿Y si me olvido una dosis?
And if I forget a dose?
Enfermero
Tómela en cuanto se acuerde, pero no doble la dosis.
Take it as soon as you remember, but don't double the dose.
Paciente
Entendido. ¿Algún efecto secundario?
Understood. Any side effects?
Enfermero
Si tiene sarpullido o dificultad para respirar, vuelva de inmediato.
If you have a rash or trouble breathing, come back immediately.

Pediatric intake — anxious parent

A mother brings in a child with a high fever.

Doctor
Hola, ¿cómo se llama el niño y qué edad tiene?
Hi, what's the child's name and how old is he?
Mamá
Se llama Diego, tiene cuatro años.
His name is Diego, he's four years old.
Doctor
¿Desde cuándo tiene fiebre?
Since when has he had fever?
Mamá
Desde anoche. Cuarenta grados.
Since last night. Forty degrees.
Doctor
¿Le dio algún medicamento?
Did you give him any medication?
Mamá
Solo paracetamol cada seis horas.
Just paracetamol every six hours.
Doctor
Muy bien. ¿Está comiendo y tomando líquidos?
Very good. Is he eating and drinking fluids?
Mamá
Toma poca agua y no quiere comer.
He drinks a little water and doesn't want to eat.
Doctor
Vamos a revisarlo y hacer un análisis. Quédese con él.
We'll examine him and do a test. Stay with him.

Roleplay scenarios

Step into a real situation and respond in Spanish.

Scenario 1

Obtaining informed consent

You need to explain a minor surgical procedure and obtain consent from a Spanish-speaking patient.

Your role: A clinician obligated to be clear, accurate, and compassionate.

What to say

Introduce yourself and your role.
Explain the procedure in plain language.
Mention the main risks and benefits.
Ask if the patient has any questions.
Confirm understanding before they sign.
Thank them for their trust.

Scenario 2

Communicating bad news with empathy

You must inform a patient about a diagnosis that requires urgent treatment.

Your role: A compassionate clinician using simple language.

What to say

Sit at eye level and warn them you have important news.
State the diagnosis clearly without jargon.
Pause and acknowledge their emotion.
Explain the next steps and timeline.
Offer a written summary and a follow-up appointment.
Ask who they would like to inform with you.

Scenario 3

Calming a frightened ER patient

A patient is overwhelmed by lights, beeps, and unfamiliar language.

Your role: The bedside nurse during the first 10 minutes.

What to say

Introduce yourself and your role in Spanish.
Lower your tone and explain what each beep means.
Tell them what will happen in the next 15 minutes.
Offer water, a blanket, or to call a family member.
Reassure them they can stop you at any moment.

Talk like a local

Slang and cultural tips native speakers actually use.

Tranquilo / tranquila

Stay calm / It's OK

The single most powerful word in healthcare Spanish. Use it warmly, not dismissively.

¿Me explico?

Am I making sense?

Far better than '¿entiende?' — it puts the burden on you, not the patient.

Vamos a ver qué pasa

Let's see what's going on

Soft, inclusive way to start a physical exam without alarming the patient.

Estamos con usted

We're with you

Three words that reduce fear faster than any medication.

Practice challenge: Triage in 60 seconds

Imagine a patient just walked in with abdominal pain. Without notes, ask the five most important triage questions in Spanish, one after another, in under 60 seconds.

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Medical Spanish for Healthcare Workers

Key vocabulary

20 practice questions

Sample dialogues

Triage in the emergency room

Explaining a prescription at discharge

Pediatric intake — anxious parent

Roleplay scenarios

Obtaining informed consent

Communicating bad news with empathy

Calming a frightened ER patient

Talk like a local

Practice challenge: Triage in 60 seconds

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