Helping a Patient: ESL Dialogue and Quiz

Closeup shot of a medical practitioner holding a patient's hand in comfort. Getty Images / PeopleImages
By
Kenneth Beare
Kenneth Beare
English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert
  • TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London
  • M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music
  • B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music
Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience.
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Updated on January 21, 2020

Read through this intermediate-level dialogue between a patient and nurse either with a partner or silently, and then test your understanding with the short, multiple-choice quiz at the end.

Patient: Nurse, I think I might have a fever. It's so cold in here!
Nurse: Here, let me check your forehead.

Patient: What do you think?
Nurse: You feel a bit warm. Let me get a thermometer to check.

Patient: How do I raise my bed? I can't find the controls.
Nurse: Here you are. Is that better?

Patient: Could I have another pillow?
Nurse: Certainly, Here you are. Is there anything else I can do for you?

Patient: No, thank you.
Nurse: OK, I'll be right back with the thermometer.

Patient: Oh, just a moment. Can you bring me another bottle of water, too?
Nurse: Certainly, I'll be back in a moment.

Nurse: (coming in the room) I'm back. Here's your bottle of water. Please put the thermometer under your tongue.
Patient: Thank you. (puts the thermometer under the tongue)

Nurse: Yes, you have a slight fever. I think I'll take your blood pressure as well.
Patient: Is there anything to worry about?

Nurse: No, no. Everything's fine. It's normal to have a bit of fever after an operation like yours!
Patient: Yes, I'm so glad everything went well.

Nurse: You're in good hands here! Please hold out your arm...

Key Vocabulary

  • to take someone's blood pressure = (verb phrase) to check someone's blood pressure
  • operation = surgical procedure
  • fever = (noun) temperature that is much higher than normal
  • to check someone's forehead = (verb) to put your hand between the eyes and hair to check for a temperature
  • slight fever = (adjective + noun) a body temperature that is slightly higher than normal
  • thermometer = instrument used to measure a temperature
  • to raise / lower the bed = (verb) putting the bed up or down in a hospital
  • controls = the instrument that allows a patient to move the bed up or down
  • pillow = a soft object that you put under your head when sleeping

Comprehension Quiz

Choose the best answer from the choices below.

1. We don't need to take Peter to the hospital. He only has a ________ fever.
2. What problem does the patient think she has?
3. You can use these __________ to raise and __________ the bed.
4. What does the nurse think?
5. Could you check my ___________ to see if it feels warmer than usual?
6. Don't forget to put a soft ____________ under your head before you go to bed.
7. What other problem is the patient having?
8. What request does the patient make?
9. What other problem might the patient have?
10. My knee __________ was successful! I can finally walk without pain again!
11. Let me get a __________ so I can check your __________.
12. I'd like to take your __________. Please hold out your arm.
Helping a Patient: ESL Dialogue and Quiz
You got: % Correct.

Helping a Patient: ESL Dialogue and Quiz
You got: % Correct.