Welcome to our fourth free lesson introducing the COPD Module of our Pulmonary Medicine Course. This module reviews Spanish for patient education during an initial visit for COPD. In this lesson, the doctor explains the progressive nature of COPD and the need for regular pulmonary function testing.

Prior free lessons in this series:

COPD Explained in Spanish
Causes of COPD in Spanish
Alveoli and Blood Gases Explained in Spanish

LEVEL - ADVANCED

1:44 
The doctor explains that COPD is progressive and therefore, they will need to monitor her regularly.

D: La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica es progresiva. Conforme la enfermedad avanza, los síntomas empeoran. Esto significa que necesitamos monitorearla regularmente.

P: Entendido doctor. 

La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

¿Cuales son las siglas de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica?

La EPOC
COPD

Monitorear / Vigilar / Controlar
To monitor

The doctor explains spirometry and pulmonary function testing.

De vez en cuando, vamos a hacerle pruebas de función pulmonar. Ya le hicieron una prueba que se llama la espirometría con su doctor de cabecera. Esta prueba mide el flujo de aire en las vías respiratorias y nos informa sobre la gravedad de su enfermedad. Vamos a repetir esta prueba y hacer algunas pruebas adicionales. Vamos a medir el volumen de sus pulmones, y la difusión de oxígeno a través los alveolos.

La espirometría
Spirometry

El flujo de aire
Airflow

Las vías respiratorias
Airways

We have covered respiratory symptoms, smoking history, and inhaler use in prior lessons.

• Asthma
• The Flu
• Review of Systems – ENT Respiratory and Heart
• Smoking History  (A premium lesson, available through the Medical Spanish or Basic Medical Spanish memberships.

Ángel Bahena is a Spanish-language teacher from Mexico, who is also trained as an ICU nurse. He helped me with the Spanish for this series and played the role of the doctor. You can take one-on-one lessons over Skype with Ángel. 

...to pulmonologist Dr. Yaron Goldman who reviewed the clinical dialogues and advised us regarding essential information to cover at a patient’s first visit for COPD.

¡Gracias por escuchar!

The lessons offered at docmolly.com are a fun way to practice medical Spanish. They are not intended to teach medicine or provide medical advice. These lessons are intended to improve communication with Spanish-speaking patients, but they are not intended to substitute for a qualified medical interpreter.

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