EXAMINING A PATIENT

Inglés profesional 2
Hugo Inga

1
 GIVING INSTRUCTIONS
ACTIVITY 1
Mr. Jameson (see the previous class ASKING ABOUT SYMPTOMS Activity 9) was examined by a neurologist.
Study these drawings which show some of the movements examined. Listen to the extract from the
Neurologist’s examinations and check the order in which the doctor examined the patient.
 GIVING INSTRUCTIONS
LANGUAGE FOCUS 1

• Note how the doctor instructs the patient what to do:

Now I just want to see you standing.
Could you bend down as far as you can?
Keep your knees and feet steady
• Instructions, especially to change position or remove clothing, are often
made like this: Would you slip off your top things, please?
Now, I would like you to lean backwards.

• The doctor often prepares the patient for the next part of the
examination in this way:
I’m just going to find out where the sore spot is
 GIVING INSTRUCTIONS
ACTIVITY 2
These drawings show a doctor testing a patient’s reflexes. Predict the order in which the
reflexes were tested by numbering them.

Now listen to the extract and check your predictions.

 GIVING INSTRUCTIONS
ACTIVITY 3
Instruct a patient to take up the correct position, prepare him or her for these tests, and
comment on each one.

When you have finished, compare your instructions

and comments with the recordings
 GIVING INSTRUCTIONS
ACTIVITY 4
The Neurologist carries out stretch tests on Mr Jameson for the sciatic and posterior tibial
nerves and the femoral nerve. Complete the gaps in her instructions with the help of the
drawings.

Now listen to the recordings to check your

answers.
 UNDERSTANDING FORMS
ACTIVITY 1a
Study this checklist for the first examination of a patient on attendance at an antenatal
clinic. Some of the examinations are carried out as routine on subsequent visits. Mark
them with a tick (✓ ) on the checklist.

THE FIRST EXAMINATION 9. Estimation of blood pressure ( )

1. Height ( )
2. Weight ( )
3. Auscultation of heart and lung ( )
4. Examination of breasts and nipples (
5. Examination of urine ( )
6. Examination of pelvis ( )
7. Examination of legs ( )
8. Inspection of teeth ( )
10. Blood sample for blood group ( )
11. Blood sample for haemoglobin ( )
12. Blood sample for serological test for syphilis ( )
) 13. Blood sample for rubella antibodies ( )
14. Examination of abdomen to assess size of uterus ( )
15. Examination of vagina and cérvix ( )
 UNDERSTANDING FORMS
ACTIVITY 1b
Now study these extracts from an obstetrician’s examination of a patient attending for her 32 week
antenatal appointment. Match each extract to the numbered examinations on the checklist.

a. Have you brought your urine sample? ___ .

b. Now would you like to sit up and I’ll take your blood pressure _____

c. Now I’ll take a sample of blood to check your haemoglobin _____

d. Have you notice any swelling of your ankles? Let’s have a quick look _____

e. Now if you’d like to lie down on the couch, I’ll take a look at the baby.
I’ll just measure to see what height it is _____
 UNDERSTANDING FORMS
ACTIVITY 2
LISTEN TO A RECORDED CONSULTATION ABOUT FINDINGS ON EXAMINATION OF A PATIENT ATTENDING FOR
HER 32-WEEK APPOINTMENT. CIRCLE WHAT INFORMATION IS SAID ON THE FOLLOWING CARD
 READING SKILLS: USING A PHARMACOLOGY REFERENCE
ACTIVITY 1
Using the prescribing information which follows, choose the most appropriate antibiotic for these patients.
1. A 67 year old man with a history of chronic bronchitis now suffering
from pneumonia. The causative organism is resistant to tetracycline.

2. A 27 year old woman with urinary tract infection in early pregnancy.

3. A 4 year old girl with septic arthritis due to haemophilus influenzae

4. An 18 year old man with left leg amputation above the knee
following a road traffic accident.

5. A 50 year old woman with endocarditis caused by strep. viridans.

 READING SKILLS: USING A PHARMACOLOGY REFERENCE
ACTIVITY 1
Using the prescribing information which follows, choose the most appropriate antibiotic for these patients.

6. A 13 year old girl with disfiguring acne.

7. An 8 year old boy with tonsilitis due to B-

haemolytic streptococcus.

8. A 43 year old dairyman with brucellosis.

9. A 4 year old unimmunised sibling of a 2 year old

boy with whooping cough.
 READING SKILLS: USING A PHARMACOLOGY REFERENCE
ACTIVITY 1 PHARMACOLOGY REFERENCE
 READING SKILLS: USING A PHARMACOLOGY REFERENCE
ACTIVITY 1 PHARMACOLOGY REFERENCE
 CASE HISTORY: WILLIAM HUDSON

Study this case notes from Mr Hudson’s consultation, part of which you studied in the previous
ACTIVITY 1 class. Try to work out the meaning of the circled abbreviations
 CASE HISTORY: WILLIAM HUDSON

The case notes record the doctor’s findings on examination. Write down what you would say to
ACTIVITY 2 Mr Hudson when carrying out this examination. Then listen to the recording to compare your
answer.