Helping a Patient

Patient: Nurse, I think I might have a fever. It's so cold in here!

Nurse: Here, let me check your forehead.
Patient: What do you think?
Nurse: Your temperature seems raised. Let me get a thermometer to check.
Patient: How do I raise my bed? I can't find the controls.
Nurse: Here you are. Is that better?
Patient: Could I have another pillow?
Nurse: Certainly, Here you are. Is there anything else I can do for you?
Patient: No, thank you.
Nurse: OK, I'll be right back with the thermometer.
Patient: Oh, just a moment. Can you bring me another bottle of water, too?
Nurse: Certainly, I'll be back in a moment.
Key Vocabulary
fever
to check someone's forehead
raised temperature
thermometer
to raise / lower the bed
controls
pillow
A Physical Examination
Doctor: When did you last come in for a physical exam?
Patient: I had my last physical two years ago.
Doctor: Have you had any other exams recently? Blood work, an EKG or an ultra-sound?
Patient: Well, I had a few X-rays at the dentist's.
Doctor: How have you been feeling in general?
Patient: Pretty well. No complaints, really.
Doctor: Could you roll up your left sleeve? I'd like to take your blood pressure.
Patient: Certainly.
Doctor: 120 over 80. That's fine. You don't seem to be overweight, that's good. Do you exercise
regularly?
Patient: No, not really. If I run up a flight of stairs, it takes me a while to get my breath back. I need
to get out more.
Doctor: That would be a good idea. How about your diet?
Patient: I think I eat a pretty balanced diet. You know, I'll have a hamburger from time to time, but

generally I have well-balanced meals.

Doctor: That's good. Now, I'm going to listen to your heart.
Patient: Ooh, that's cold!
Doctor: Don't worry it's just my stethoscope. Now, breathe in and hold your breath.
Please pull up your shirt, and breathe deeply... Everything sounds good. Let's take a look at your
throat. Please open wide and say 'ah'.
Patient: 'ah'
Doctor: OK. Everything looks ship shape. I'm going to order some blood work and that's about it.
Take this slip to the front desk and they'll arrange an appointment for the tests.
Patient: Thank you doctor. Have a nice day.
Key Vocabulary
physical examination (exam)
blood work
EKG
ultra-sound
x-rays
to roll up sleeves
overweight - underweight
to exercise regularly
balanced diet
well-balanced meals
stethoscope
to breath in
to hold one's breath
to pull on one's shirt
to breathe deeply
to open wide
to look ship shape
slip
front desk
to arrange an appointment
Feeling Queasy
Nurse: Good morning, Mr Adams. How are you doing today?
Patient: Horrible! I can't eat anything! I just feel sick to my stomach. Take the tray away.
Nurse: That's too bad. I'll just put this over here for now. Have you felt queasy for very long?
Patient: I woke up during the middle of the night. I couldn't get back to sleep, and now I feel
terrible.
Nurse: Have you been to the toilet? Any diarrhea or vomiting?

Patient: I've been to the toilet twice, but no diarrhea or vomiting. Perhaps, I should drink
something. Can I have a cup of tea?
Nurse: Certainly, I'll get you a cup immediately. Would you like black tea or peppermint tea?
Patient: Peppermint, please. Do you think I could have another blanket? I'm so cold. I think I'm
getting the chills.
Nurse: Here's an extra blanket. Let me tuck you in.
Patient: You're so sweet. What is your name?
Nurse: My name is Alice. I'll be on shift during the day for the next few days.
Patient: Hello Alice. My name is Jack. Nice to meet you.
Nurse: Let's get you feeling better Jack!Is there anything else I can get for you?
Patient: That's alright. I think a cup of tea and a warm blanket should help.
Nurse: OK. I'll be back as soon as the tea is ready.
Patient: Thank you.
Key Vocabulary
to feel queasy
to feel sick to one's stomach
tray
to wake up
to feel terrible, awful, horrible
to get (go) back to sleep
to be to the toilet
diarrhea
vomit
black tea, peppermint tea
blanket
to get the chills
to tuck someone in

web.maths.unsw.edu.au/~jim/alexpianoffenglishfornurses.pdf
http://www.englishmed.com/nurses/dialogue-1/
http://www.englishmed.com/nurses/
Hello, my name is ____________ and Ill be your nurse
Do you want to use the restroom?
Do you want to take a shower?
Ask for help before you get up
Are you hungry / thirsty
Are you in pain?
Dont throw away urine/ stool
Do you feel lightheaded/ dizzy?
Use the call light if you need help

Ill be back in a moment

http://nursing.flinders.edu.au/students/studyaids/clinicalcommunication/activities_page.php?id=23
Communication skills: interacting with patients
Introducing yourself to patients in the ward:
Hello Mr/Ms ____. My name is ____ and Ill be looking after you today.
Hello Mr/Ms ____. My name is ____ and Ill be taking care of you today.
Good morning. My name is ____. I am a nursing student and Ill be looking after you today.
Hi there, Im ____. Im taking care of you today.

To check what the patient would like you to call them:

Good morning. My name is ____. Ill be the nursing student looking after you today. What may
I call you?
What would you like me to call you?
May I call you Ms Smith or would you prefer Margaret?

To inquire about the patients health:

How are you feeling?
How are you feeling today?
Are you feeling any better today?
How are you feeling at the moment?

If the patient has just been admitted today:

Can you tell me why you are here today, Mr/Ms ____?
Whats brought you here today?
What brings you here (today)?

If the patient needs your help:

How can I help you?
What can I do for you?
Is there anything (else) I can do to help you?

Is there anything (else) I can do to make you feel comfortable?

To check if you may ask the patient some questions:

Ive just got one or two questions to ask you, Mr/Ms ____ it wont take long. Is that OK?
I just need to check a few things with you, alright?
I just need to check a few things with you. Is that OK?

To conclude a conversation:
Im sorry, but ...

I need to go now
I really must get going
its time for me to go
Id better get back to work

Thank you for ...

talking to me
telling me that
your help
everything

Thanks a lot / thanks

Ill be back ...
soon
in a minute
in a while
Ill see you again soon
See you ...

soon
next week
again
the next time I am in
next shift
in a minute

Take care
Bye / Goodbye
Example 1:
Nurse Susan Johnston is meeting her patient Ms Anne Watson (52) for the first time. Ms Watson has injured
her back.

Nurse: Good afternoon, Ms Watson. My name is Susan and Ill be looking after you this
afternoon.
Patient: Hello Susan. Please call me Anne Ms Watson is so formal.
Nurse: OK! How are you feeling today, Anne?
Patient: Not so good actually, Susan. I had a bad nights sleep and my back is really aching.
Nurse: Im very sorry to hear that, Anne. Let me take your obs and then Ill see if I can do
anything about your sore back.
(later)
Nurse: There you go, Anne. I hope youre feeling more comfortable now.
Patient: Thanks Susan. I feel much better.
Nurse: Thats great. I need to go now, but if you need me at all just use the buzzer. See you
soon.
Patient: Thanks! Bye.
Example 2:
Nurse Michael Roberts is meeting his patient Gladys Fopp (87) for the first time. She has just had a hip
replacement.
Nurse: Good morning Ms Fopp. Im Michael and Ill be taking care of you today. How are you
this morning?
Patient: Good morning nurse. Im sorry but you have got my name wrong. I am Miss Fopp, not
Ms Fopp.
Nurse: Oh, I beg your pardon, Miss Fopp. Im very sorry about that! I would like to do your
observations now. Would that be alright?
Patient: Very well, nurse. My doctor says Im doing pretty well for an old girl, but Im afraid,
after this accident, I wont be going far in a hurry!
(later)
Nurse: Well, Miss Fopp, you are making great progress. Your observations look very good. Your
doctor was right!
Patient: Thank you, Michael.
Nurse: I need to see some of my other patients now, but, if you need anything, just press this
bell, and I will come as quickly as I can.