Stroke HPI [for ER Providers]

Medical Spanish Dialogues

Topic: Stroke, History of the Present Illness (HPI)

Target Audience: Emergency medicine clinicians (doctors, PA’s, or NP’s)

Format: Mainly yes/no questions, a few with short answers

Video Version

First, I’ll walk you through Stroke HPI in video form.

(FYI, this video is also available as a podcast. Details below.)

Written Version

If you prefer, here’s the written version of Stroke HPI in Spanish.

Note: Parentheses mean the word(s) can be left out, and the phrase should still make sense.

English	Spanish
Do you† feel weak on one side of your body?	Se siente débil en un solo lado de su cuerpo?
Does one side of your† body feel numb?	Un solo lado de su cuerpo se siente entumecido?
Point to where.	Señale donde.
Face?	Cara?
Arm?	Brazo?
Leg?	Pierna?
Is it just on one side, or on both sides?	Solo en un lado, o los dos lados?
Do you† feel more confused (than usual)?	Se siente más confundido (que lo normal)?
Are you† having trouble speaking?	Tiene problemas para hablar?
Is this problem new?	Es nuevo este problema?
How many hours?/Since what time?	Cuántas horas? / Desde qué hora?
When did you last see him/her normal?	Cuándo vieron a él/ella normal por última vez?
(Is it) worse now?	(Está) peor ahora?
Better now?	Mejor ahora?
Still the same?	Sigue igual?
Is it all the time?	Es todo el tiempo?
Does it come and go?	Va y viene?
Did you† hit your head?	Se golpeó la cabeza?
When?	Cuándo?

†: Spanish translation of these phrases can refer to “you” (usted), “he” (él), or “she” (ella). This may be helpful when obtaining history from a family member.

Wrapping Up

Thanks for checking out my Stroke HPI dialogue. You’ll probably find these medical Spanish translations particularly useful if you work as a provider in emergency medicine.

For additional medical Spanish dialogues, check out my podcast! Details below. 🙂

The "Learn Medical Spanish" Podcast

To hear these medical Spanish dialogues as a podcast, subscribe on your favorite platform!

(You can also find it by searching “Learn Medical Spanish” on just about any app.)

Ben

Ben has been practicing as a physician assistant, or PA (similar to a doctor) in emergency medicine, family practice and urgent care since 2014. He became fluent in Spanish while living in Guatemala for 2 years, and now tries to help other healthcare professionals learn medical Spanish so they can care for their patients more effectively.