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In the NICU, the conversation is with the parents
NICU nursing Spanish is parent Spanish: holding, feeding, monitors, and the questions parents ask when they are afraid.
The Spanish on this page comes from the Signos phrase library, which has not been checked by a qualified reviewer yet. Vocabulary practice does not qualify you to interpret. When a conversation affects care, use a qualified medical interpreter.
In the NICU the patient cannot talk. The conversation is with the parents, and the parents are afraid, tired, and listening to every word. The phrases that matter are the ones that tell them what is happening, what you are about to do, and when you will be back.
The phrases below come from the NICU Essentials track. Each one includes the sample parent reply from the track, because the reply is where the nurse learns whether the parents understood.
Say what you are about to do
Parents fear what they do not see coming. Announce the ordinary things: washing hands, checking temperature, changing a diaper, checking the monitor. An announced action is a smaller fear.
«Voy a lavarme las manos antes de tocar al bebé.»
I am going to wash my hands before touching the baby.
Patient reply: «Está bien.» Okay.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →«Vamos a revisar la temperatura del bebé.»
We are going to check the baby's temperature.
Patient reply: «Está bien.» Okay.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →«Voy a cambiar el pañal del bebé.»
I am going to change the baby's diaper.
Patient reply: «Está bien.» Okay.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →«Voy a revisar el monitor y los cables.»
I am going to check the monitor and the wires.
Patient reply: «Está bien.» Okay.
Note: Do not explain what the monitor shows. Report what you see to the nurse, and let the nurse explain.
Drill NICU Essentials →The monitor will sound
The monitor sounds, and parents hear an alarm. Tell them what the sound is and what you are about to do, and do not explain what it means. What it means belongs to the nurse and the doctor, with an interpreter carrying any conversation that affects care.
«Ese sonido es el monitor. Voy a revisar al bebé.»
That sound is the monitor. I am going to check the baby.
Patient reply: «¿Está bien el bebé?» Is the baby okay?
Note: Do not explain what the alarm means. Report what you see to the nurse, and let the nurse explain.
Drill NICU Essentials →Feeding and the small reports
When the baby last ate, whether the diaper is wet, whether the baby is awake: these are the reports parents can give you, and they are real clinical information. Ask, wait, and report the answer exactly.
«¿Cuándo comió el bebé por última vez?»
When did the baby last eat?
Patient reply: «Hace una hora.» An hour ago.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →«¿Tiene leche materna para el bebé?»
Do you have breast milk for the baby?
Patient reply: «Sí, en el refrigerador.» Yes, in the refrigerator.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →«¿El bebé ha mojado el pañal hoy?»
Has the baby wet the diaper today?
Patient reply: «Sí, dos veces.» Yes, twice.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →«¿El bebé está despierto o dormido?»
Is the baby awake or asleep?
Patient reply: «Está dormido.» He is asleep.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →Holding and quiet
Holding the baby and keeping the room quiet are care, not extras. Ask whether the parents want to hold the baby. Ask for quiet when the baby sleeps. These phrases cost nothing and change the whole visit.
«¿Quiere sostener al bebé?»
Do you want to hold the baby?
Patient reply: «Sí, por favor.» Yes, please.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →«Hable bajito. El bebé está durmiendo.»
Speak softly. The baby is sleeping.
Patient reply: «Perdón. Hablo bajito.» Sorry. I will speak softly.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →The question parents are afraid to ask
Parents have questions for the doctor and do not always know they are allowed to ask them. Ask whether they have questions, write them down, and bring them to the nurse or the doctor. Do not answer medical questions yourself.
«¿Tiene preguntas para el médico?»
Do you have questions for the doctor?
Patient reply: «Sí. ¿Cuándo sale el bebé?» Yes. When does the baby go home?
Note: Do not answer medical questions yourself. Write the questions down and bring them to the nurse or the doctor, with a qualified interpreter carrying the conversation.
Drill NICU Essentials →«Si el bebé llora mucho, llámeme.»
If the baby cries a lot, call me.
Patient reply: «Sí, le llamo.» Yes, I will call you.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →«Regreso en una hora para revisar al bebé.»
I will be back in an hour to check the baby.
Patient reply: «Gracias.» Thank you.
Note: Report the parents' answers to the nurse. Do not interpret medical information or make promises about the baby's care.
Drill NICU Essentials →