DIALOGUES

EXERCISES
FOR :
UMJ STUDENTS
At a doctor
I have a terrible stomachache.

Doctor: Good morning. Please have a seat here. Whats the problem?
Paul Ryefield: I have a terrible stomachache.
Doctor: Do you have diarrhea?
Paul Ryefield: Yes, I do.
Doctor: Do you have any other symptoms?
Paul Ryefield: Yes, I feel sick.
Doctor: You mean you feel nauseous?
Thats right. I feel like vomiting. And right now I feel dizzy,
Paul Ryefield:
too.
Doctor: When did the symptoms start?
Paul Ryefield: This morning. Yesterday evening I ate something raw.
All right. Please take off your clothes to the waist and lie
Doctor:
down there. ... Just tell me if it hurts when I do this.
Paul Ryefield: It doesnt hurt. ... Ouch. It hurts there.
Okay. Lets hope its just indigestion, but well need to run
Doctor: some diagnostic tests to be sure. Well run a blood test and
well also need a urine sample.
Paul Ryefield: Can you give me something for the time being?
Doctor: Yes, Ill give you a prescription for indigestion tablets.
Some Troubling Symptoms
Patient: Good afternoon.
Doctor: Good afternoon. Have a seat. So, what have you come in for
today?
Patient: Thank you. I'm feeling ill, I've got quite a bad cough, but I
don't seem to have a fever.
Patient:
Doctor: IOh,
see.I've
Howhad thehave
long cough forhad
you twothese
weeks, but feeling ill just these
symptoms?
past few days.
Doctor: Are you having any other problems?
Patient: Well, I've got a headache. I've also had a little bit of diarrhea.
Doctor: Do you produce any phlegm when coughing?
Patient: Sometimes, but it's usually pretty dry.
Doctor: Do you smoke?
Patient: Yes, a few cigarettes a day. Certainly no more than a half a
pack a day.
Doctor: How about allergies? Do you have any allergies?
Patient: Not that I'm aware of.
Doctor: Does your head feel stuffy?
Patient: Yes, for the past few days.
Doctor: OK. Now let's have a look. Could you please open your mouth
and say 'ah'?
Pain that Comes and Goes
Doctor: How long have you been having this pain?
Patient: It started in June. So for more than five months now. My
stomach hurts after some meals, but not always.
Doctor: You should have come in earlier. Let's get to the bottom of this.
Have you changed your eating habits during this period?
Patient: No, not really. Well, that's not true. I'm eating the same foods,
but less. You know, the pain seems to come and go.
Doctor: How strong is the pain exactly? On a scale of one to ten, how
would you describe the intensity of the pain?
Patient: Well, I'd say the pain is about a two on a scale of one to ten.
Like I say, it's not really bad. It just keeps coming back...
Doctor: How long does the pain last when you get it?
Patient: It comes and goes. Sometimes, I hardly feel anything. Other
times, it can last up to half an hour or more.
Doctor: Is there a type of food that seems to cause stronger pain than
other types?
Patient: Hmmm ... heavy foods like steak or lasagna usually brings it on.
I've been trying to avoid those.
Doctor: Does the pain travel to any other parts of your body - chest,
shoulder or back? Or does it remain around the stomach area.
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.
A Prescription
Patient: what about the problems I've been having sleeping?
Doctor: I'm going to give you a prescription for some medicine to help
you get a better night's sleep.
Patient: Thank you doctor.
Doctor: Here, you can get this prescription at any pharmacy.
Patient: How often should I take the medicine?
Doctor: Just take one pill about 30 minutes before you go to bed.
Patient: How long should I take them?
Doctor: The prescription is for thirty days. If you're not sleeping well
after thirty days, I'd like you to come back in.
Patient: Is there anything else I can do to help me sleep at night?
Doctor: Don't worry so much about things at work. I know, I know...
easier said than done.
Patient: Should I stay home from work?
Doctor: No, I don't think that's necessary. Just remember to stay calm.
Doctors 24 hour Clini
Mrs.Verma : Can I see Dr.Raman? My son his hurt his knee.

24 hour Clinic Receptionist: Did you make medical appointment,

Madam?

Mrs.Verma : No. But then I hadnt expected my son to have a fall

and hurt himself. I couldnt make medical appointment for child
accident, could I have? But I must have the childs knee treatment
and dressing done urgently.

24 hour Clinic Receptionist: Dont get excited, Madam. The

doctor does attend to emergencies, though normally the doctor is
so busy that he can only see patients who have made prior medical
appointment

Mrs.Verma: Then what shall I do? Shall I go to urgent care

hospital?
24 hour Clinic Receptionist:Please wait here, Madam. Ill fit
you in between the appointments. In the mean while, pleasefill
inthis form. Is the childsknee painfulbleeding ?

Mrs.Verma: No. The bleeding has stopped.

24 hour Clinic Receptionist: Please wait in thewaiting

roomand Ill call you the moment the doctor is free.

Mrs.Verma:and Vikram join the group of people sitting in

thewaiting room.

(Dr.Raman comes to the door)

Dr.Raman: Mrs.Verma?

Mrs.Verma: Yes. Thats me. Good morning,

Dr. Raman: I understand your son has had a fall and has knee ligament
injury. Come along young man. Ill have a look at your knee..

An elderly woman gets up and hurries forward towards the doctor.

Elderly woman: Oh Dr.Raman, you cant see him first. It is my turn. Ive
made medical appointment.

Dr.Raman: Hello, Mrs.Sonia , I know it is your turn, but this child needs
immediate attention.He needs knee treatment. Ill see you right after
childs knee wound dressing.

Dr.Raman: It wont be long, Mrs.Sonia. Please excuse me for a few

minutes. Mrs, Verma, please bring your son into the treatment rooms

All three of them go into the treatment rooms of 24 hour Doctors

clinic.

Dr.Raman: (Examining the wounds). This is a nasty wound. You have knee
swelling. Do you have pain behind knee. You have Knee ligament Injury
which causes knee pain
Cut, but not too serious. There is nothing to worry about.I will start Knee
Treatment. Ill clean it, put some tincture iodine on it and do bandage
Dr.Raman: You are a young child. Ill give you an Tetanus injections to
ward off any infection. There you are. That is a good boy.

Mrs.Verma: Will he be all right doctor? Arent you going to give any
prescription medicines?

Dr.Raman: There is no need for any prescription medicines. Hell, be all

right. The knee will be all right. The knee will be a bit stiff for a few days.
In case gets fever or the pain is too severe, give him one of these
tablets?

Mrs.Verma: After how many hours do I give him one of these tablets?

Dr.Raman: Dont give him a tablets unless he feels very uncomfortable

with pain. Give the tablet, if he gets fever. Then come and see me again
at 24 hour Doctors clinic, in the morning. These tablets are only a
precaution.

Mrs.Verma: Do you think hell get fever, doctor?

Dr.Raman:No. Dont worry. I think hell be all right. But in case he does
get a temperature, then come back to me again. Well, young man, be
Mrs.Verma:Where do I pay yourconsultation feesand for the
medicines?

Dr.Raman:At thereception counter, Madam. Goodbye.

Mrs.Verma:Thank you very much, doctor.

Vikram:Thanks, Doctor Raman

visit to the hospital
Joyce: Excuse me. Could you tell me which ward Mr John Smith
has ended up in please? Im his wife.

Nurse: Certainly. Hes in Ward 4, room 22. You may need to wait.
Hes undergoing tests at the moment.

Joyce: So, hes okay? What happened?

Nurse: Youll need to speak to the Doctor on duty about that. Just
go along the corridor and turn right and youll spot Doctor Sinkh
outside room 22.

Joyce: Thank you.

Joyce: Hello, are you Doctor Sinkh?

Doctor: Yes. Ah, you must be Joyce. Your husband collapsed at

work. Were looking into it at the moment.

Joyce: Will he be okay?

Doctor: Well, Im going to have to impose on him a new health

regime. Preliminary tests indicate a risk of heart disease. But I
want to make it clear that this was not a heart attack. He did not
exhibit regular heart attack symptoms but his condition warrants
further investigation.

Joyce: When will we know for sure?

Doctor: I should have the test results back within a few days. But
he should be well enough to go home today. Hes showing signs of
continuously high blood pressure as a possible result of constant
stress. Hell need to take the next week or so off.
Joyce: So, what should I do?

Doctor: Warn him off fatty foods, sketch out a diet regime rich in
green and red fruits and vegetables, and increase his water intake.
No salt, no caffeine, no dairy and only lean meat or chicken. And
definitely no alcohol.

Joyce: Oh my God! Hell never be able to do without any of those.

Doctor: Well, its either that or hell be back here in worse condition
within the next few months. He cant wriggle out of it this time. Oh
and after hes adjusted to his new diet, he has to give up the
ciggies.

Joyce: Okay Doctor. Ill let him know about those foods, but I dont
know if hell come at giving up the smokes.

Doctor: I suspect that his arteries have narrowed. This is a common

cause of high blood pressure. Ive given him a prescription for some
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and a Diuretic. Please
follow the prescription exactly, otherwise he could take a turn for
the worse.
ENJOY YOUR DAY