OET Speaking Role Play card - 9 - Nursing

Interlocutor's Card

NURSING SETTING

Hospital ward

PATIENT

You are aged 55, and while in hospital for elective surgery on your knee, you have been told you have hypertension (high blood pressure). You play tennis intermittently and know you should reduce your cigarette smoking and your weight. As you are a busy business person with a high stress job and travel interstate frequently you would prefer to manage your health with medication. Your husband/ wife is constantly nagging you to drink less beer in order to lose weight and is very supportive of you.

TASK

• Answer the nurse's questions and explain that you often eat out at regular places with clients. You play  tennis, although not always regularly as you travel frequently for work. Ask what medication you can take to lower your blood pressure.
• Ask the nurse how you could make effective changes to your lifestyle. Be hesitant at first about the nurse's suggestions, but eventually be willing to compromise.

Candidate's Card

NURSING SETTING                             

Hospital ward 

NURSE

His 55 year- old patient was found to have hypertension while in hospital for elective knee surgery. She/ he is quite obese, and the patient's he patient's history reveals she/ he is a heavy smoker and suffers alcohol abuse. Her husband/ his wife is concerned about her/ his excessive drinking and thinks she/ he should cut down. The Patient would prefer to use medication instead of trying diet and exercise programmes because she/ he has little time for such programs due to being busy with a stressful job and frequent travel interstate.

TASK

• Ask the patient about her/ his diet and exercise.
• Explain to the patient that medication alone would not be effective in this case because her/ his high blood pressure is due to excess calories and saturated fats in her/ his diet, insufficient exercise, heavy smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Strongly advise lifestyle changes.

Discuss strategies with the patient for dietary and exercise improvements. Emphasise the need for the patient to dramatically reduce her/ his intake of alcohol and tobacco. Try to reach a compromise with the patient about lifestyle changes.