3  Observation of the patient s physical and emotional condition
Exercise 1: Read the text and answer the questions below.
Autor: Justyna Kowalczys, 2012
1. What senses does the nurse use in her observation of the patient?
2. What can be detected by the sense of hearing?
3. What is the sense of touch used for?
4. What is the sense of smell used for?
5. Why must all the observation be always recorded?
6. Why can nurses observe patients better than other members of health care teams?
7. What information do the Nurses Notes contain?
8. Why does the nurse need to learn about normal constituents of blood, urine, etc.?
Exercise 2: Complete the following lists:
1. A nurse uses the sense of sight to observe a) & & & & & & & .& & & , b)& & & & & & & & .& & ..,
c)& & & & & & & & & ..& .., d)& & & & & & & .& & & & ., e)& & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..
2. The sense of touch is used for feeling a) & & & & & & & .& & & , b)& & & & & & & & .& & &
3. The sense of hearing is used for the observation of a) & & & & & & & .& & & , b)& & & & & & & & .& & ..,
c)& & & & & & & & & ..& ..
4. The sense of smell is used for the observation of a) & & & & & & & .& & & , b)& & & & & & & & .& & & ,
c)& & & & & & & & & & & & & .
Exercise 3: Supply a correct noun from the list below.
observation, abnormality, contact, senses, members, duties, feeling
1. Observation requires a nurse to use all her & & & & & & & & & .
2. The sense of touch is used for & & & & & & & & & the skin temperature.
3. Only the nurses are in regular & & & & & & & & & & . with their patients.
4. Observations are very important for other & & & & & & & & & .. of health teams.
5. Nurses should be able to detect any & & & & & & & & & &
6. Observation is one of the most important & & & & & & & & . of the nurse.
Exercise 4a: Prelistening. Match the equipment that helps to take patient observations to the definitions.
1. blood pressure cuff a. takes a patient s blood pressure
2. digital blood pressure monitor b. wraps around a patient s arm to take blood pressure
3. pulse oximeter c. takes a patient s temperature
4. scales d. records a patient s blood oxygen saturation
5. tympanic thermometer e. weigh a patient
Exercise 4b: Listening. Stephen, a Ward Nurse, is taking Mr Bracknell s Observations.
Listen to the conversation and tick the instructions you hear.
1. Can you stand on the scales, please?
2. Can you open your mouth, please?
3. Can you bend your leg, please?
4. Can you turn your head to one side for me, please?
5. Can you bend your arm, please?
6. Can you roll up your sleeve, please?
7. Can you put your arm out straight?
8. Can you hold out your hand, please?
Which instructions (1-8) from exercise 4b can you use with the following equipment?
" tympanic thermometer - __________
" scales - _______
" blood pressure cuff - ________ _________
" pulse oximeter - __________
Autor: Justyna Kowalczys, 2012
Exercise 5: Match the two columns: observation category (on the left) and the nurse s notes (on the right).
1. Mental and emotional condition a. the patient walks using crutches
2. Blood circulation b. there is reddish rash on the left arm
3. Respiration c. the patient has fever
4. Nutrition d. the patient is apathetic and confused
5. Skin condition e. the patient s cheeks are flushed
6. Body temperature f. the patient had lost his left hand
7. Activity g. the patient s breathing is shallow and rapid
8. Disability h. the patient refuses to eat
Exercise 6: Give nouns related to the following verbs and use them to complete the sentences below.
abnormal
appear
breathe
depress
express
lose
observe
treat
1. After her husband s death she fell into deep & & & & & & & & & & .
2. People shouldn t be judged by & & & & & & & & & & & .. only.
3. The best & & & & & & & & & & . for a cold is bedrest and aspirin.
4. When she entered the patient s room, she heard his heavy & & & & & & & ..
5. Lab tests can detect every & & & & & & & & & & . in the blood and urine.
6. The patient looked at the doctor with a(n) & & & & & & & & & & .. of fear on his face.
7. The nurse recorded her & & & & & & & & & & on the patient s chart, signed it and finished her shift.
8. Chemotherapy may sometimes cause a rapid & & & & & & & .. of hair.
Autor: Justyna Kowalczys, 2012