"Not what I think it is": When Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live for a fun doctor's knowledge quiz

Ellen Pompeo, famous for playing Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey's Anatomy, showed that acting like a doctor on TV doesn't equal real medical expertise. On February 24, 2016, she was on Jimmy Kimmel Live. In a fun part, Jimmy Kimmel tested her knowledge of medical tools.

Even though she's been a TV doctor for over ten years, Ellen Pompeo had a hard time with the quiz. She was funny and honest in her answers.

When presented with a pair of forceps, Pompeo hesitated before admitting,

“Actually, it’s not what I think it is. I’ve never seen this. We don’t use this.”

Kimmel, surprised, quipped back,

“Those are forceps! You hear about them all the time!”

Pompeo played with more instruments, getting some right and others, well, not so much. Even TV's most well-known doctor can't handle everything in real life!

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Ellen Pompeo’s medical quiz highlights

On Kimmel's show, Kimmel began by showing Pompeo a simple medical tool, a stethoscope, which she quickly recognized. As he presented more instruments, the game got tougher. When he showed her a hemostat, Ellen Pompeo thought it was a clamp. Kimmel agreed but also explained its real purpose.

The conversation continued with Ellen Pompeo identifying a rib spreader and an otoscope without trouble.

But, she had some difficulty with an anesthesiology mask.

She admitted,

“I don’t know what it’s called, but I know what it does. That’s all that matters.”

Pompeo had a fun interaction with Kimmel, where she cleverly joked around with his comments. It was a breezy exchange that highlighted Ellen Pompeo's wit. One memorable part of the show was when Kimmel talked about a nebulizer. It's a gadget for giving lung medicine.

This was a standout moment as she playfully questioned Kimmel's knowledge. Her light-hearted banter kept the audience engaged and entertained. Pompeo took a moment before saying she knew what it was because she had asthma.

She quipped,

“Well, because I have asthma, so I know what a nebulizer is.”

The segment got better when the actress showed people she's more than just a movie star. This made her seem more human.

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How accurate is Grey’s Anatomy when it comes to medical tools?

Ellen Pompeo's struggle to identify basic medical instruments questions the authenticity of Grey’s Anatomy in reflecting real-life medicine. The popular show, which began in 2005, is recognized for its surgical scenes and emotional plotlines, but it has been noted for taking artistic liberties with medical realism at times.

Forbes reported in 2018 that medical professionals have mixed opinions on the show's accuracy. While Grey’s Anatomy gets some procedures and medical conditions right, it often exaggerates situations for the sake of the story. For instance, surgeons in the show are seen doing various specialties, which isn't common in actual hospitals.

Also, the show's fast pace can sometimes oversimplify the complexities of medical work. Ellen Pompeo's quiz results suggest that actors in the show depend more on their scripts and practice than on substantial medical training.

Although the show has medical advisors to maintain some truth, its main aim is to entertain with drama, not to be completely realistic.

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Grey’s Anatomy is available on Netflix, Hulu, and ABC’s website.