34. Basic investigations PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

34. Basic investigations

A	Ophthalmoscopy An Ophthalmoscopy allows the doctor to examine all parts of the eye: the iris, lens, retina, and optic disc. For best results, the examination is done with dimmed, or lowered, lights to allow the pupil to maximally dilate or widen. A topical mydriatic solution may be applied to the eye to aid dilation. The patient is then asked to fixate on a target for the duration of the test.
B	Blood pressure A stethoscope is used to hear the sound of blood rushing back through the artery. The first thumping sound is the systolic blood pressure (SBP). When the thumping sound is no longer heard. That’s the diastolic blood pressure (DBP).
C	Taking blood During venepuncture, the phlebotomist, a technician who takes blood, inserts a needle into a vein and withdraws blood into a specimen tube, which is sent to the haematology laboratory for analysis. Usually the phlebotomist can find a vein in the inner part of the elbow, the antecubital fossa, that is easily accessible. She may apply a tourniquet – a tight band – above the site, or the patient may be asked to clench their hand to make a fist, in order to make the vein more prominent. Afterwards, the patient may be asked to press lightly on a dressing, usually a piece of gauze, to help the blood to clot and to prevent swelling and haematoma (a black and blue mark, or a bruise) where the vein was punctured. Note: A bruise is a specific mark. Bruising can be used to describe a number of bruises or a larger area – The patient exhibited bruising on the right forearm.

EXERCISES

34.1	A doctor is talking to a patient during an ophthalmoscopy. Match the underlined expressions she uses (1-4) to expressions with similar meanings from A above (a-d). Right, Mr Gold, because you’ve been having these headaches I’m going to have a look at your eyes, particularly the back of your eye – the retina. I’m going to put (1) a couple of drops in your eye, (2) which will make it easier for me to see the retina. After a few A the examination is done with dimmed lights B a topical mydriatic solution C to aid dilation D fixate on a target
34.2	Complete the instructions. Look at B opposite to help you. 1 Wrap the _________ around the patient’s upper arm. 2 Place the _________ over the area of the brachial artery. Raise the patient’s arm so that the brachial artery is at the same height as the heart. 3 Close the valve on the _________.
34.3	Complete the text. Look at C opposite to help you. (1) ________________ are specially trained in taking blood. They are skilled (2) ________________ - puncturing the vein to take a blood sample. The wrist, hand and foot can be used but more often a vein in the inner part of the elbow is used. If it is difficult to locate a suitable vein, the patient may be asked to make a (3) ________________, or a (4) ________________ may be applied and the

Answer key