General
banana
What does banana mean?
Slang for a patient who is visibly yellow with jaundice.
"He came in a proper banana — bilirubin through the roof."
Origin
From the yellow colour of jaundice.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a jaundiced patient called a 'banana'?
Because jaundice turns the skin and eyes yellow, resembling a banana.
Is calling a patient a banana offensive?
It's flippant bedside slang, so it's kept among staff and not used in front of patients or families.
What causes the yellow colour?
Jaundice, from raised bilirubin, often due to liver disease or bile-duct problems.
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