Meaning & use
PICU
Last updated
Meaning
abbreviationcountablemedical
A hospital ward for the most seriously ill or injured children, where they get constant monitoring and specialist treatment.
Grammar: Countable: a hospital has one PICU. Pronounced as one word, so it takes a PICU.
Patterns
- in the PICU
- transferred to the PICU
The baby was moved to the PICU after her breathing worsened.
Nurses in the PICU work closely with the children's families.
He spent three days in the PICU before returning to a regular ward.
Word forms
| plural | PICUs |
|---|
Common combinations
- admitted to the PICU
- The boy was admitted to the PICU overnight.
- PICU nurse
- A PICU nurse stayed beside his bed.
- PICU doctor
- The PICU doctor explained the treatment plan.
- transferred to PICU
- She was transferred to PICU for closer monitoring.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pediatric intensive care
- This is the full phrase for the same ward, and is more formal than the abbreviation.
- NICU
- NICU is for newborn babies only, while PICU treats older infants and children.
- ICU
- ICU is for patients of any age, while PICU is only for children.
Word family
- pediatric adjective
- relating to children's health
- pediatrician noun
- a doctor for children
- intensive care noun
- close treatment for critically ill patients
Commonly confused: PICU or NICU?
PICU vs NICU
NICU is the neonatal unit for newborns, while the PICU cares for older babies and children.
Practice
A seriously ill seven-year-old would most likely be treated in the ____.
Choose one answer.
The PICU cares for critically ill children. The NICU is for newborns, and the maternity ward is for mothers giving birth.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “PICU”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.