50. Physical examination PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

50. Physical examination

A	Examining patient When examining  a patient you should: 1.       Introduce yourself, if necessary. √ Good morning. I’m Dr Mason 2.      Brief the patient on what he/ she should expect in a clear and simple way. √ Do you know what we’re going to do this morning? √ What happens is that … √ What we’re going today is … √ I’ll ask you to … √ I’m going to examine your … so I can find out what’s causing this … √ Are you ready? √ What we do is … √ OK? 3.      Instruct the patient in a clear but polite manner (see B below). 4.      Show sensitivity to the patient’s needs and respond to discomfort, reassuring if appropriate. √ You might feel a little bit of discomfort? √ It will be over very quickly. √ This might hurt a little but I’ll be quick. √ It won’t take long. √ Tell me if it hurts. √ You’re doing very well. √ Let me know if it’s sore. 5.      Talk the patient through the procedure √ I’m just going to … √ You’ll feel … √ First I’ll … √ When it’s over. I’ll … √ Then I’ll … √ That’s it. All over. √ Now, I’m going to … 6.      Share your findings with the patient √ Well, I’m fairly certain you’ve got … √ One possibility is it could be what we call … √ I haven’t found anything to suggest any problems.
B	Giving instructions When examining a patient, polite forms are often used for the initial instructions: √ Could you bend forward as far as you can? √ If you could cross your arms in front of your chest? √ What I’d like to do is examine you standing up. After that direct instructions may be used: √ Stand with your feet together √ Lie perfectly still. To soften an instruction: √ Can you just turn to the side again? √ Could you just lie on the couch?

EXERCISES

50.1	Complete the instructions using suitable verbs. Look at Appendix V on page 145 to help you. 1 ______________ straight ahead and ______________ your nose with your right forefinger; then with your left forefinger. 2 ______________ on the edge of the couch and ______________ your legs hang loosely. 3 ______________ your eyelids tightly. 4 ______________ all your clothes ______________ down to your underwear. 5 ______________ your chest with your chin. 6 ______________ slowly and look over your left shoulder. 7 ______________ on your side. 8 ______________ looking at me. 9 ______________ ______________ your sleeve. 10 ______________ ______________ the pin, not the light.
50.2	Write instructions to describe the movements in the pictures. Look at Appendix V on page 145 to help you.
50.3	Complete the instructions for a lumbar puncture with words and phrases from A and B above. Morning Mr Maxwell, all right? Now, (1) _______________? Well, (2) _______________ put a little needle into your spine, and take some fluid off your back to find out what’s giving you these headaches. You might feel (3) _______________

Answer key