Vocabulary and instructions when going to the doctor

1. Unit 6
Health & Medicine
by Dulce Rosales

2. Check the meaning of the following words with your
partner. Then put them in the three groups below:
·asthma · a runny nose · antibiotics ·an allergy ·a rash
·hay fever ·painkillers ·flu ·pills ·diahrroea ·a sore
throat ·a migraine ·sneeze ·a virus
·a temperature ·penicillin ·throw up ·food poisoning
·paracetamol ·a blocked-up nose ·an infection
• 1. HEALTH PROBLEMS asthma, …
• 2. SYMPTOMS a runny nose, …
• 3. TREATMENT antibiotics, …

3. Look at some typical doctor’s statements and
questions and complete them with the words given
1. What seems to be the problem?
problem
2. How long have you been ___like this?
3. Are you ___ to anything? 4. What have you ____recently?
5. Come ____ if you are not feeling better in a few days.
6. Have you been ___ anything for that?
7. Have you got any other ____? 8. Right, let me have a look at you.
9. I am just going to take your_____.
10. Here is a _______ for some painkilers.
• problem prescription back feeling taking
temperature symptoms allergic eaten look

4. Here are some typical patient’s expressions.
Match them (1-10 to a-j)
• 1 I am not feeling • A feeling very well recently
• 2 I haven’t been • B getting really bad headaches
• 3 I’ve got • C very well
• 4 My chest • D a terrible stomach ache
• 5 I keep • E hurts
• 6 I can’t stop • F to penicillin
• 7 Do I need • G sneezing
• 8 I’m allergic • H should I take them?
• 9 How often • I make another appointment?
• 10 Do I need to • J some antibiotics

5. At the Doctor's Office
Common Questions Your Doctor
Might Ask You
·What seems to be the problem?
· How can I help you ?
· What can I do for you?
· How long have you been experiencing
these symptoms?
· Are you in pain?
· Can you describe the pain?
Where exactly does it hurt?

6. • Does the pain get worse when you do
something?
• Are you taking any medication for the pain?
• What prescription drugs are you taking?
• Do you have any allergies? Are you allergic to
anything?
• Are you pregnant? (if you are a woman)
• Is that uncomfortable?
• Does that hurt?

7. Common Directions or Instructions
during an Examination
• · Lay down on the examination
table/bed.
• · Squeeze my hands.
• · Relax your leg/arm.
• · Tell me when it hurts.
• · Stand and face the mirror.
• · Breath in (inhale), breath out (exhale).
• · Take off your /shirt/sweater etc. (!)

8. Preparing for Your Appointment
Do you know how to effectively describe pain? In English, as in
other languages, there are many different forms of pain.
• Dull pain
• Sharp pain
• Throbbing pain (punzante)
• Slight pain
• Tingling (hormigueo) or numbness
(sensation) in my fingers (como dormidos)
• Burning pain
• Itchy ( when it’s itchy you need to scratch)
scratch
• Cramps (retortijones)
Try to be as specific as possible, so that your doctor can assess you
accurately.

9. Doctor/Patient Conversation
• Patient: Good afternoon.
• Doctor: Good afternoon. Have a seat. So, what seems to
be the problem?
Patient: Thank you. I'm feeling ill, I've got quite a bad
cough, but I don't seem to have a fever.
• Doctor: I see. How long have you had these symptoms?
Patient: Oh, I've had the cough for two weeks, but feeling ill
just these 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.

10. 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'?

11. Key Vocabulary
• symptoms
to feel ill
• cough
fever to have a cough
headache diarrhea
phlegm to cough
allergy stuffy (nose) tapada
to feel stuffy

12. Phrasal Verbs at the Doctor's Office
• Please lay down on the examination table.
• I'd like you to look up and then look down
as I shine this light in your eyes.
• You need to cut down on the amount of
sugar you eat.
• You can put on your shirt now.
• Sit down here, while I write you a
prescription.
• You need to take better care of yourself.

13. Utensils and other Vocabulary
• ( adhesive) Bandage
• Plaster
• Injection
• Syrup
• Ointment
• Examination table (also stretcher)
• Blood pressure cuff
• Stethoscope
• X-ray
• Blood test
• High blood-sugar level
• Urinalysis /ˌjʊərɪˈnalɪsɪs/
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
• CAT