GRAMMAR Lesson H [B2-]
BEING POLITE IN THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
After taking a history comes the physical examination.
Before you examine a patient, you should
- explain what body part you wish to examine
- mention why (if needed)
- ask them to remove only the necessary clothes
During the examination you should
- give instructions and
- confirm they are as comfortable as is possible
There are different ways to do these things politely:
a) Please
- “Remove your shirt and sit on the bed, please.”
- “Please remove your shirt and sit on the bed.”
b) would, could, may
- “Could you turn your head and cough?
- “Would you take a big breath in then blow out as hard as you can?”
- “May I ask you to push hard on my hand?
- How may I address you? OR What name may I call you?
Sometimes, we combine:
- Could you please lift your leg straight up?
- Would you lower it again, please?
c) Statements that are actually requests. Sometimes we use the word ‘just’, or add the tag “okay” at the end … but we don’t expect the patient to say no!
- I just need to take a look at your abdomen.
- I’ll now press a little harder. Okay?
- Is it okay if I push down your underwear and examine your lower tummy?
SPEAKING EXERCISE H
Practice repeating ALOUD each example sentence in the lesson above. Focus on the common collocations, RUNNING THEM TOGETHER until they flow as ONE EXPRESSION. The collocations are underlined.