Györffy: English for Doctors
INTERNAL MEDICINE
ff  You will hear patients' complaints about a cough. Write out the necessary questions that could elicit these responses.
Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5 Question 6
1/12 HEART
1      ^ From the groups of phrases below, indicate the phrase which is not relevant to a patient with heart problems.
a)  Patient's complaints A shortness of breath B  blurred vision
C tightness in the chest
b)  What aggravates a heart patient's complaints?
A going up the stairs
B  climbing up a mountain
C  swimming in a pool
c) Where does the pain radiate? A to the neck
B to the shoulder C to the loins
d) Where will the patient notice some swelling?
A wrist B ankles C feet
e) How does the heart beat? A rapidly B  it skips a beat C musically
2 }/ Listen to the dialogues. Dialogue A is in British English, dialogue B is in American English. Pay close attention to the differences in pronunciation and vocabulary.
3     There are six pairs of statements below. Tick the correct statements.
a) A The patient is referred by his family doctor.
B The patient himself decided to consult a specialist.
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INTERNAL MEDICÍNE
Gyorffy; English for Doctors
b)  A  The condition has been getting worse over the last few weeks. B   The condition has changed over the last four weeks.
c)  A  The pain radiates to his shoulder. B   The pain radiates to his left arm.
d)  A  His heart always beats rapidly. B   He has palpitations.
e)  A   His heart beats either slowly or rapidly.
B   His heart skips a beat several times per minute.
f)   A  Only one of his feet is swollen by the evening.
B   The swelling of his feet disappears by the morning.
4     From the box choose the opposite of the expressions underlined in the sentences.
aggravated       spread/travel/move       slowly       improved       sit
a)   Does your job require you to stand?
b)   Does your heart beat rapidly?
c)   Are your heart palpitations relieved by holding your breath?
d)   Does the swelling seem worse at the end of the day?
e)   Does the pain seem to be localised?
&  Formulate questions based on the patient's answers in the following dialogue. When you have finished, listen to the recording and repeat the questions.
D: Have you ever had any medical or heart problems?
P: I've never been diagnosed with anything but I think something could be wrong with my
heart. D:
P: It beats irregularly especially when I smoke. D:
P: I get pressure in my chest sometimes when I have to walk a long distance. D:
P: Absolutely. I'm always short of breath when I go upstairs. D:
P: Yes, I break out in a really bad sweat when my chest hurts. D:
P: Down my left arm. D:
P: Yes, my ankles seem to be swollen all the time, D: P: Yes, the pain is fairly constant, but it helps when I put my feet up.
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